River, Stone, Lantern, Moth

The river hurries.
The stone stays.
Neither persuades the other.

The moth circles the lantern.
The owl watches.
Feathers do not intervene.

Smoke lifts from singed wings.
Water rushes around the stone.
Flame promises, then collects.

People walk past.
Some notice.
Someone drops a taco wrapper.

The lantern burns; then stops.
The stone waits longer.
The moth does not wait.

F.S.F