Fire Alarm

At sundown
golden rays
burst from behind
bluish clouds.

Standing outside,
flannel pants and hoodie,
muggy, uncomfortable,
listening to the alarm
go off this cloudy
twilight.

Then the noise
disappears.

I am maybe four,
wandering around
home, the old
single story,
now lost to time
and memory.

Then I am ten
or twelve,
heading out of the
two story to my
friends,
ready to enjoy
this summer
afternoon.

The alarm disappears
again,
this time for good.
Standing on the curb,
dismiss these old
memories
for the present,

Still gazing
at golden rays
bursting from behind
bluish clouds.