Unbidden Lament

Widow-fires burned,
cities thundered —
families melted.

Brave ones appeared
but households still
became undone.

North winds whistled,
echoed dark silence
and no applause.

Fire angels returned
octaves far above,
seeding clouds.

This ancient rondeau
simply reassembles
their skylit poems.

. . . . .

Poet: Susan Powers Bourne
Source: Women Poets Minnesota
Process: Cento recreation