We dare not steer away our stare
from our blurred unstirred flames
as we cover them with mire.
We know fire’s future is dire
if it doesn’t stir, blare, clatter,
yet we seek not what we require.
Shattered branches for heartbeats, we
cross no words – only cross-fire,
fleeting away, afeard of flames
each time less heard, less felt
- where there is smoke, there’s still fire.
PALOMA SIERRA-HERNÁNDEZ is a poet-playwright. A Puerto Rican based at Pittsburgh, PA, she explores the Diaspora experience through verse drama. Her most recent poetic play “RIQUEÑO” premiered at Nuyorican Poets Cafe (2018). Paloma currently studies Creative Writing and Drama at Carnegie Mellon. Follow her work on Instagram (@pasierra) and Twitter (@pasierrah).