Time is Lumber

by Todd Mercer

The roof of his house collapsed
as the pumper truck pulled into the drive. He paused…
then called out the strategy, the Fire Chief
rolled hoses from the hydrant hookups,
as if it were any other house. The training
takes over, but time is lumber
and this residence was fully involved
when a neighbor phoned it in.
After the embers of a total burn-down
are doused, bulldozers and actuaries
come through with their tasks. The man’s
bunking at the station, just for now/indefinitely,
charred hair, stoic, smoldering.