In The Fallen Ash

Snooping on the neighbors
we look through gaps
in the wooden fence.
The argument only escalates
glass breaks and the plastic table
overturns.
Sirens ring out in the distance
and we look at each other
but it was clear that neither
one of us made the call.
Before anyone can intervene
the house next door goes up in flames,
in all the screaming they were
scattering the gasoline.
A nervous rookie panics
and starts unloading
from the front yard
until his partner grabs
his wrists and makes him stop.
The moon does not extinguish
anything and the house burns
to the ground the edges of our yard
now singed forever.
When it is over she looks back at me
and we both stand there
in the fallen ash
taking in the view we now
will have to live with.