Thirstier
today than
yesterday and
the day before.

My mouth isn’t dry, so
how to explain my throat?
No sound coming up, 
no water trickling down.

A hard road from here
is where I’m going.  
Will need a drink soon.
It won’t matter if it’s cold

as long as it’s wet.
There’s not much left here,
just a small spot of smolder
and a thick skein of smoke. 

A little water please: enough, at least,
to let me hiss my last.  
Put a spark or two in flight:
dying embers, sputter.