Wildfires

A dense cloud of dreams from across the border settled over the city. City officials urged the citizens to stay up as long as possible. Loudspeakers on street corners blasted patriotic music throughout the day. Exercise, keep busy, take cold showers, forgo sex and self-gratification they said. Even reading, especially in comfortable chairs was discouraged. They feared the siren song of the past, the smell of mown grass and burning fall leaves, awkward kisses on front doorsteps, loves short-lived and lost, choices not considered or made, paths not taken. Stay in the present they demanded, leave the future to us.