The Flame

PROLOGUE The Flame, aflicker, licks and flays, illuming evening’s negligees With braided curls she swirls and sways, and flits and floats in light ballets APOLOGUE A Flame, to conquer creeping fog, flew dancing towards a random log Her flight perplexed a leery frog beside a silent somber bog The Flame, a ripple, all alone alit on leaves where birds had flown The aching twigs began to moan A rising breeze began to groan The Flame arrayed an ancient oak with torrid tongues and veils of smoke A beaver bailed, the dam had broke The leery frog soon ceased to croak The Flame uncoiled and lashed midair, consuming crowns with utmost care A crazed coyote fled her lair, left in the lurch bewildered bear The Flame, unfurled, went wild and grew, enkindled cats and caribou Remaining... not a residue, as reeking vapors bade adieu The Flame revealed her strength unshackled Flora, fauna crisped and crackled Fire Witches clucked and cackled One more forest stripped, then hackled EPILOGUE The arsonists were well aware the Flame would travel everywhere The weirs are gone, the land is bare, and soon you’ll find a city there