The salamander felt nothing
on the burning paper plate
at the top of the trash can.
It burned down through the plastic
then calmly the lizard
just waited for it all to be ash.
When finally burned
it gave up on the grass
feeling something close to understanding.
It was safer in the fire
so the salamander returned to the blaze.
A bonfire at the center of a campsite.
The tongues of flame were its
natural shield like a burrow
dug deep out in some random field.
The longer he stared at the flames in the air,
the more that he learned there were
secrets there only for him.
Fireproof Upsides
Teleporting Typewriter 