Smoke seeps through
the crack of space that
separates the ember embedded door
from the weakening floor
Quietly a child whimpers
but none can hear her raspy whisper
except her teddy, which is clutched
tightly against her heaving chest
Shaking and crumbling, the building
morns as floorboards creak
utterly crying out for relief
from flames overtaking them
Heroes outside pat themselves on
the back, thinking everyone is saved
until a meekexhaustedlady
screams for her baby
The building has its last shudder
The World owns one more childless mother.
