The Fire

Forever now
lives will be marked
everything
either before or after
the fire

The stuff insurance covered
The stuff bought
the places lived
after the fire
the few things found
surprised 
by water bottles, tomatoes and photos
couldn't imagine it had survived
from before the fire

Burned, charred
Lost, confused
Hurt ... so much was lost
Shaken ... how do we regain
Overwhelmed, yet trying to be hopeful

And yes, thankful for what was not lost
What is most precious
from before
is still here after
husband, wife, daddy, mommy, daughters, sisters
lives
family
And God
somehow holding us all

The fire
what is this mark
this standing stone
this altar
it stands

and I wonder 

For S&T.W.--I hold you up in my prayers...and wonder...