Smoke like mist hanging low on the ground
Smoke like clouds in the sky
A blurry reflection, beyond recognition
The world is burning up.
The trees on the far shore are dancing
The trees on the near side are ghosts
The lake in the middle is so, so pale
Everything bundled in smoke.
Distant houses nearly invisible
The valley like a giant ash tray
Everything like a dream, leached of colour
Disappearing one at a time.
Shouting! Screaming! Rushing past!
Yet the water ripples so calmly
The ghosts stop their dance, the curtain lifts.
Yet all is still smoky and pale.