Kurt, the Sparkler Man

Kurt, the Sparkler Man

Late on a Fourth of July party
in a decade long ago
a figure of spidery grace

lit a clutch of sparklers in his hand,
tucked some in his shoes
and casually spun cartwheels down the street,

a living pinwheel,
coruscating, sputtering,
brilliant.

When you got to know him
you remained in awe
of a restless talent

that cast off sparks
in music and painting,
forever spinning cartwheels...

-- Stephen Tracey