Five Poems

There was Fire in Vancouver
There was fire in Vancouver,
And we leaned out into the night to watch it
Set light to the East End.
It had taken stand on Commercial Avenue.

We marvelled at the darkness of the city,
All neon dulled by the superior flame,
And wondered would it bestow its dance
On the Ginseng Teahouse in Chinatown, on Jericho pier.

There were no sirens, hoses, buckets even,
Scattering streets and Fire! Fire!
We seemed the only ones conscious of the bright crusade
And we watched with Moses standing in our heads.

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