Fire-Bright

Michael draws a face of grief
with brick-clar brush and lime-light green
to trace the lines his grief will grace
and fill the silence in between

red for danger
green for gold
a fire burns precise and coold
painted people fire-bright
will burn in fortune's flame tonight

Michael paints a face of pain
chalky white and charcoal black
he flexes his sciatic legs
and pumps his knuckles till they crack

red for danger
green for gold
a fire burns precise and coold
painted people fire-bright will burn
in fortune's flame tonight

but lately as the house grows dim
there's mocking laughter mocking him
silence when there should be tears
silence every actor fears

michale wears a face of smiles
as he prepares a face to greet
the eyes that see an actor's eyes
the faces that his face will meet

red for danger
green for gold
a fire burns precise and coold
painted people fire-bright will burn
in fortune's flame tonight