You Do Not Burn

When everyone
ran, you remained
the grim landscape

the same colour
as your dress
and quiet genius

as bushfires licked
your garters
you laughed

that same laugh
for decades. Old years
pass and turn

though just your
slip remains
you do not burn.

© 2017 Melinda J. Irvine

• This is my response to the Blogging University course Writing: Intro to Poetry (Day 9 Landscape)
• Daily Prompt: Genius
• I’m part of Post A Day 2017
• Location: Historic Township of Hartley (Australia)