Path to Heaven

I watched him light a fire
in the hearts of children
as he lit a fire from the
last remains of a once proud birch.

He watched me watch
and I wondered if he wondered
why.

I watched him light a fire
in the bitter cold of february
in a ring of stones laid in
summer by forgotten hands

He watched me watch
and I wondered if he knew
why.

I watched him light a fire
to unbite my frostbit nose
and ears and fingers toes
and such bitten bits of me.

He watched me watch
and I know, I think,
why.

I watched him light a fire
to light the path to heaven
ly dreams of summer
for a dozen boys and me.