the stranger is welcome to share
her fire . she's seated upon a pelt
against the cool earth .
freckled fingers dusted rose from
the nippy air , wiggling slow in front
of the warm , ochre & dandelion
dancing flames .
at first , there is a flinch— then her
brows furrow . ❝ stop that .. i'm only
helping you . be still .. and know this
may sting a bit . ❜
the cloth is laced with witch hazel
for both cleansing and soothing .
she slowly places the fabric
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