The Lantern

I.
In the garage –
A globe and mantel

Sit in a cardboard
Box.

Stained with oil
And years –

A green base,
On the self above –

Half full of fuel
And memories,

From camping
In 1987 –

When the children
Caught fireflies

And youthfulness
By its light.

We played
UNO –

Cards stuck together
By hot marshmallow.

II.
To the kitchen sink,
Globe in hand –

Warm water and soap.
Now, a crystal ball –

Where grandkids,
Eyes wide

At the first hiss
Of the gas & flash –

See –
And are seen.