He stood there
watching
waiting
for the right time
to set them ablaze
he twirled the stick
one with a red end
between his fingers
watching
waiting
and after all the lights went out
it was time
he struck the match
gazing in awe of the hypnotic flame
and turned back to the house
where his foster parents lived
and threw the stick
whispering "i'm not sorry"
turning away
leaving the place
in
f l a m e s
