Of late,
Things are being spewed at me.
The hurling objects look to me
like glowing snow-like pebbles
smothered with ash.
Alas!
It is not until late that I realize
they are the radiantly glowing,
hot and fuming pieces of coal.
I chide myself
for being incognizant
of the mistaken identity--
of the words.
And...
I am all charred by then.
