FIRETRUCKING

a ringing bell
and a pole to slide down on
can you smell the smoke
can you see it in the distance
as the flames leap from the bedroom window
licking at the exposed underside of your eaves
the heat prickles our extremeties
as we admire the fire
all consuming heat and light
swirling and leaping and crashing into the furniture
the sirens are growing louder now
all red lights flashing and wheels spinning
a red man in a helmet and rubber and latex
tap the hydrant and unroll the hose
release a stream of
smoke and steam
and douse the flame
before it spreads too far
that is the purpose of a firetruck

- S. Marvin Tuomala, January 17, 2005

[I wrote this poem, because upon returning to the reading scene I discovered that certain lanugage was not allowed, or at least frowned upon. I was told to use the word "Firetruck" as a substitute for "fuck." So, I went home and wrote this.]