Incendiary

At the first explosions
and the first flames
the mother decided
to take the children
and their dog to the shelter.
She led the boy by the hand
and carried the little girl
downstairs and outside

Their next step was into fire

The dog danced round

Steps are taken: the villains
are arrested at their ministries,
and brought to justice. I hear
the evidence, and sum up.
I say, ‘You are condemned’.
My sergeant has a shotgun
that fires thistledown.

Soldier

Forehead to chin is a soft wet scrapheap. Someone has taken
a handful of meat scraps and pressed them into his face.