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

Copyright © | Year Posted 2012



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12
Date: 1/16/2021 11:32:00 AM
A moving poem, Terence. Beautifully penned. Leaves one thinking who remains to protect the nature at the price of urbanization ~ glad to see this gem in the 2020 PS Anthology
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Date: 2/23/2016 7:11:00 PM
Beautiful, yet grotesque and ominous. Nice work!
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Date: 2/18/2016 7:57:00 PM
Marvelously ominous ending. Love it!
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Terry O'Leary
Date: 2/19/2016 5:23:00 AM
Thank you, Tom!
Date: 2/12/2016 10:30:00 AM
Excellent Composition. A poem with poetic touch. Congrats. Anisha D
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Terry O'Leary
Date: 2/19/2016 5:24:00 AM
Thank you, Anisha!
Date: 2/11/2016 8:03:00 PM
Nice cultivation of imagination brought in to dreamy world my lovey frirnd. Loved always,bl
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Terry O'Leary
Date: 2/19/2016 5:24:00 AM
Thank you, BL!
Date: 2/11/2016 1:38:00 PM
Another super write. A true poet.
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Terry O'Leary
Date: 2/19/2016 5:25:00 AM
Thank you, Daniel!
Date: 12/29/2015 5:49:00 PM
TERRY, Congratulations on having your poem featured on the soups home page during the last week of 2015 and beginning of 2016 :) awesome way to start the year... Enjoy the coming Year.... SKAT
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Terry O'Leary
Date: 2/19/2016 5:26:00 AM
Thank you, Skat!
Date: 12/3/2014 5:22:00 AM
Arson & the making of a city! I keep on coming back to this poem.
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Terry O'Leary
Date: 2/19/2016 5:28:00 AM
Thank you, Sumit!
Date: 11/27/2013 1:09:00 AM
Terry, Thank you for spreading and sharing your kindness. You know me I’ will always enjoy stopping by with love and support, no matter if I do not Understand what I am reading at times. I am very grateful and thankful to all who have been supportive of me one way or another. Your heartfelt words are the main attraction of who you are… Thanks for your inspiring visit. ----- Happy Thanksgiving ~ LINDA
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Terry O'Leary
Date: 2/19/2016 5:26:00 AM
Thank you, Linda!
Date: 11/4/2013 10:51:00 AM
Beautiful imagery, great story here, loved this beautiful poetry to get my day going.
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Terry O'Leary
Date: 2/19/2016 5:28:00 AM
Thank you, Joanna!
Date: 3/25/2013 7:33:00 PM
As usual very well composed. With life's bitter lemons often lemonaid is made. Huggs TLee
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Terry O'Leary
Date: 2/19/2016 7:10:00 AM
Thank you, Terry!
Date: 3/1/2013 11:58:00 PM
Powerfully written tale of a dirty deed.
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Terry O'Leary
Date: 2/19/2016 5:26:00 AM
Thank you, Red!
Date: 2/1/2013 8:22:00 AM
This is a very wonderfull well written poem, Terry, featuring a perfect and expert use of monorhyme in it, and telling such fascinating tale as well. Carl.
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Terry O'Leary
Date: 2/19/2016 7:11:00 AM
Thank you, Carl!
Date: 1/18/2013 12:27:00 PM
it always feel great to read your poems Terry
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Terry O'Leary
Date: 2/19/2016 7:09:00 AM
Thank you, Charmaine!
Date: 1/18/2013 3:59:00 AM
I remember reading this and enjoying it immensely. I thought I had commented on it but re-reading it I saw that I hadn't. Great poem Terry.
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Terry O'Leary
Date: 2/19/2016 5:27:00 AM
Thank you, Jon!
Date: 1/16/2013 9:14:00 AM
This is an absolutely wonderful write and joy to read. I was drawn along by the creative rhymes and fantastic imagery. Well done my friend, bravo. I love the classic feel of it as well.
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Terry O'Leary
Date: 2/19/2016 5:27:00 AM
Thank you, Thvia!
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Thvia Shetley
Date: 1/16/2013 9:15:00 AM
also, favorited
Date: 1/14/2013 1:12:00 AM
Enjoyed reading this poem. It's brilliant, awesome, splendid, magnificent,...Best wishes, Larisa
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Terry O'Leary
Date: 2/19/2016 7:11:00 AM
Thank you, Larisa!
Date: 1/13/2013 8:32:00 AM
Terry back for a re-read of this gem, time you posted another ....David
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Terry O'Leary
Date: 2/19/2016 7:12:00 AM
Thanks again, David!
Date: 1/12/2013 2:00:00 PM
Always an epic event with such tragic results; wildlife lost and timber that took how long to grow? I contemplate the event reading this and admire your consummate ability to weave the magic so it has just the right amount of truth to hit squarely home. I am impressed!
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Terry O'Leary
Date: 2/19/2016 7:12:00 AM
Thank you, Elizabeth!
Date: 1/11/2013 3:38:00 PM
Wow a bang up job..I wrote a simiar one Meadow's Sigh I enjoyed your write this evening. Light & Love
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Terry O'Leary
Date: 2/19/2016 7:15:00 AM
Thank you, Debbie!
Date: 1/10/2013 9:26:00 PM
this gives me a vivid picture of a forest fire.. I could share this with my kids too.nice rhyme.
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Terry O'Leary
Date: 2/19/2016 7:15:00 AM
Thank you, Maria!
Date: 1/10/2013 8:38:00 AM
Terry - Did Christmas eat you up or are you working hard at some new masterpiece these past weeks? Everything okay? love, Kathy
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Terry O'Leary
Date: 2/19/2016 7:16:00 AM
Thank you, Kathy! (Been busy with other stuff)
Date: 1/7/2013 3:08:00 PM
Just take all the kudos not yet sent and consider them yours.... Great write, my friend, truly award winning material..... Jake
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Terry O'Leary
Date: 2/19/2016 7:17:00 AM
Thank you, John!
Date: 1/7/2013 1:09:00 AM
Amazing! Wonderful!
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Terry O'Leary
Date: 2/19/2016 7:25:00 AM
Thank you, Vesna!
Date: 1/6/2013 12:21:00 PM
Terry; This is aone great piece of poetry. Thanks for sharing this with us today. Many blessings. Lucilla
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Terry O'Leary
Date: 2/19/2016 7:25:00 AM
Thank you, Lucilla!
12
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