Cast Iron

.

     A cast iron skillet rusts

If it’s left too long on its own

               Oxidizing

          Heavy metal mass         

Consuming itself, leaving nothing

          Except russet stained memories

Chemical corrosion, hypnotic slow burn

          Silent, sighing carmine scream

     Induced by life’s necessary breath

Crumbling cinnamon powder

          Scattered chestnut smoke

     Useless ash, censer dispensed

          Blessing nothing, yet serving as

     Holy, timeless reminder

           Indicating impermanence

Regardless of perceived strength

Diamonds only cut diamonds

           We’re told

     Of course, they burn like coal

These precious stones

           When cremated

Steel melts

     Stones erode

          Forests die

               Oceans dry

In the end

     All that we think

          We know is real

Returns

               To that, from which stars are born.