Vespers
Tonight my neighbor's burning
a fire next to his trailer.
I catch glimpses of his red cap
through the smoke.
The people I've watched die
said, finally, You smell good
or Your hands are cold or You've left me
more confused than ever.
Outside the yard goes black.
My neighbor's wife goes to him
by flashlight, and he bends
to greet the dogs.
---Jill Osier
---found in Alaska Quarterly Review (Vol. 32, No 1 & 2, Spring/Summer 2015)