Brought together
by flame.

The Fire Rituals

Not rules. Just what's worked for us, most nights, for a while now.

1. I

   Tend the flame first

   Before anyone arrives, before the pouch comes out. A fire gives people somewhere to look that isn't a screen, and a reason to stay past the polite hour.

2. II

   Roll it by hand

   Pinch, spread, tuck, roll — a little tighter at the ends. It takes three tries to get decent and it never stops being satisfying. Pass the papers around; let people fail at it together.

3. III

   Light slow

   Herbal blends burn faster than tobacco. Take it easy on the draw, keep the ember small, and let it go out between passes. There's no hurry out here.

4. IV

   Speak plain by the fire

   House rule. Somewhere between the first smoke and the last log, everyone says something they actually mean. It's amazing what a fire will pull out of people.

5. V

   Carry out what you carry in

   Ash goes cold and buried. Pouches go home in a pocket. The prairie was here first and intends to outlast all of us.