# Villages **by Jen Fischer** There are not really villages in the valleys between the mountains. They only exist in my mind. There are not really people living in huts in those villages in the valleys. They only exist in my mind. There are not really stoves lit by matches in the huts in the villages. They only exist in my mind. There are not really home cooked meals placed from stoves to tables in the huts. They only exist in my mind. There are not really dirty dishes that must be taken from tables to sinks. They only exist in my mind. So there will not really be fires consuming the tables and huts. They only exist in my mind. Just like the incessant smell of smoke, persistent, demanding Only exists in my mind. Because there are not really villages in the valleys between the mountains Only the ashes left behind.