The Fire

I am the penitent fire,
The smoldering answer to the final question,
The World Host,
The vibrant colors in your eyes,

And yet...

            I spill tragedy everywhere.
                         I rail 
                            and rage against the bars in my mind,
            recklessly tearing thoughts as they occur,

watering love as I dismiss the act;
the pail heavy and wet, but I'm not carrying
all of it.  The child I help carries it with me.
He is 14-years-old and has tumors all over his brain. 
He loves walkie-talkies and bugs.
And neither of us wanna water the damn plants.

(Though we do it and now we have shared in something.)
Battling against our thoughts we secretly embrace the
process of life.  And we will walk back to our special classroom 
in and through the Transitional Light, the peace falling through the air 
like unfiltered grace, the pear-scented morning of a school day 
swirling all around...

And then last night I sit beside a woman my age,
and the peace that has sat like a lake rises to a pulpy gall
as I recognize the vibrant colors in her eyes
as my birthplace and beacon through the smoke
of the immense fire of life I am even now burning, burning off.

             Walk with me now, through the blaze, as the blaze...
Copyright © | Year Posted 2009

Poem

Post Comments

Poetrysoup is an environment of encouragement and growth so only provide specific positive comments that indicate what you appreciate about the poem. Negative comments will result your account being banned.

Please Login to post a comment

Guzzi Avatar
April 7, 2009 at 7:23 PM
Most excellent PLEASE enter this in the 5 senses 5 elements contest! You have evoked Sight, sound, scent Elements Water, fire, wood, metal! Loved it!
Get a Premium Membership
Turn off ads, get more exposure for your poetry, and get more features with a Premium Membership.
Book: Diverse Voices: The Poetry of Human Rights and the Pursuit of Peace