Fire Is Dangerous

Fire Is Dangerous
Fire Is Dangerous. Never Play With Fire.
This was solemnly told to me by mum on the occasion
Of my half burning the kitchen down trying to see
Whether sliced potato would fry if placed in the grill
Of the cooker with a drop of oil.
‘Half’ was my mum’s exaggeration. Apart from
Blackened windows and a slight charred smell
In the air, the kitchen was untouched.
But I behaved. I did not do any more culinary experiments.
Months later my dad was fixing his car
And could not get a nut loose from a bolt.
He went and got a camping stove. He explained that
when lit, the camping gas flame, applied to the nut,
would cause the nut metal to expand, then twist off.
That was my role. He to hold the flame. I to wield the spanner.
He lit the stove. Flames shot straight up, burning off
His eyebrows, ditto his tam hat, singeing his hair at the front.
Ever since my dad is bald at the front. He calls it age. We know it was the flames.
Pete Kalu