Birds on Fire

Look, teacher, the birds are on fire!
Words are lost; the teacher
Just stares as children inquire –
Bodies falling to earth.

When even hope has burnt its wings,
In death most cruel they’ll land,
Like the Phœnix, hope still springs –
Two jump off holding hands.

Children are told that those who fall
Are saved by trampolines
That hidden firefighters hold –
Hope’s an imagined thing.