fallen

Snapped awake, breath fogs
can't see it, in the dark
Lumps have ground
sore memories in my side
Was that a rifle?, six more sound
I don't feel, adrenaline
dulls for my protection

Then a crash so loud and low
surely the sky has fallen
My head stays low, almost broken
The cries of my companions
snap me into action
I kick things and my elbows are bitten
on all fours, scrambling for the tent door

I'm outside in a scene of carnage
limbs every wrong way, smoke
obscures and congeals
I'm aware of others
dumbfound standing witness
I can't take my eyes away from

The portal of fire: pitch blackness inside
A macabre diva
in wreath of flickering amber
with a certain fragile beauty
My feet start towards
mind screams no; but still

A hand, my name: halts me
'You don't want to go there
your skin will burn'; I only now
feel the heat, I stagger back
'Why did she fall?'
'Caught on fire, why else?'