Of fire exits and extinguishers

Of fire exits and extinguishers
I had never seen the signs on the doors before
I had never thought of them as ‘Fire Exits’ 
They were merely exits, and entries of course
But now that they put the signs up, I’m terrified there’s going to be a fire
For the signs warn of something that might happen...possibilities;
The man thereof seems to me a prescient image of myself running.

I had always thought of the extinguishers as toys
Whenever I’d get time in the evening 
I’d pick on one of them and release its roar into the empty space
But now that the man seeks to ascertain their working,
Their roars sound like cries against fire in my head
Their redness of color reminds me of danger.

“It’s just a safety measure.”
“Where would the fire arise from?”
‘’We’ll start it ourselves!”
Now I’m terrified of myself.
                                         James Kaluna


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