Red rose petals
drift down from gardens 
of the moon
It’s midnight
in your dream
of falling red

and yellow petals
with fire all around
Fire at the gates
of Eden
a deep

stormfront of fire 
fire breaking through
from underfoot

White rose petals
yellow and red
petals turn into little 
scorching wings 

as your orchards burn
Apple trees lemon
trees each become
a savage bonfire
It’s three AM

in your last 
dream that will go on
forever
Your last 

dreamword 
last thought
last tear
the last time
you close 

your eyes
to watch the world burning

[Alexander Etheridge has been developing his poems and translations since 1998.  His poems have been featured in The Potomac Review, Museum of Americana, Ink Sac, Welter Journal, The Cafe Review, The Madrigal, Abridged Magazine, Susurrus Magazine, The Journal, Roi Faineant Press, and many others.  He was the winner of the Struck Match Poetry Prize in 1999, and a finalist for the Kingdoms in the WildPoetry Prize in 2022.  He is the author of, God Said Fire, and the forthcoming, Snowfire and Home.]