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

Poem

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12
Gauthier Avatar
January 16, 2021 at 11:32 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
Hendrickson Avatar
February 23, 2016 at 7:11 PM
Beautiful, yet grotesque and ominous. Nice work!
Arnone Avatar
February 18, 2016 at 7:57 PM
Marvelously ominous ending. Love it!
O'Leary Avatar
February 19, 2016 at 5:23 AM
Thank you, Tom!
Dutta Avatar
February 12, 2016 at 10:30 AM
Excellent Composition. A poem with poetic touch. Congrats. Anisha D
O'Leary Avatar
February 19, 2016 at 5:24 AM
Thank you, Anisha!
Devnath  Avatar
February 11, 2016 at 8:03 PM
Nice cultivation of imagination brought in to dreamy world my lovey frirnd. Loved always,bl
O'Leary Avatar
February 19, 2016 at 5:24 AM
Thank you, BL!
Turner Avatar
February 11, 2016 at 1:38 PM
Another super write. A true poet.
O'Leary Avatar
February 19, 2016 at 5:25 AM
Thank you, Daniel!
A  Avatar
December 29, 2015 at 5:49 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
O'Leary Avatar
February 19, 2016 at 5:26 AM
Thank you, Skat!
Majumdar Avatar
December 3, 2014 at 5:22 AM
Arson & the making of a city! I keep on coming back to this poem.
O'Leary Avatar
February 19, 2016 at 5:28 AM
Thank you, Sumit!
A   Avatar
November 27, 2013 at 1:09 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
O'Leary Avatar
February 19, 2016 at 5:26 AM
Thank you, Linda!
Smith Avatar
November 4, 2013 at 10:51 AM
Beautiful imagery, great story here, loved this beautiful poetry to get my day going.
O'Leary Avatar
February 19, 2016 at 5:28 AM
Thank you, Joanna!
Allen Avatar
March 25, 2013 at 7:33 PM
As usual very well composed. With life's bitter lemons often lemonaid is made. Huggs TLee
O'Leary Avatar
February 19, 2016 at 7:10 AM
Thank you, Terry!
Omara Avatar
March 1, 2013 at 11:58 PM
Powerfully written tale of a dirty deed.
O'Leary Avatar
February 19, 2016 at 5:26 AM
Thank you, Red!
Harris Avatar
February 1, 2013 at 8:22 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.
O'Leary Avatar
February 19, 2016 at 7:11 AM
Thank you, Carl!
Chircop Avatar
January 18, 2013 at 12:27 PM
it always feel great to read your poems Terry
O'Leary Avatar
February 19, 2016 at 7:09 AM
Thank you, Charmaine!
Cavanaugh Avatar
January 18, 2013 at 3:59 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.
O'Leary Avatar
February 19, 2016 at 5:27 AM
Thank you, Jon!
Shetley Avatar
January 16, 2013 at 9:14 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.
O'Leary Avatar
February 19, 2016 at 5:27 AM
Thank you, Thvia!
Shetley Avatar
January 16, 2013 at 9:15 AM
also, favorited
Rzhepishevska Avatar
January 14, 2013 at 1:12 AM
Enjoyed reading this poem. It's brilliant, awesome, splendid, magnificent,...Best wishes, Larisa
O'Leary Avatar
February 19, 2016 at 7:11 AM
Thank you, Larisa!
Williams Avatar
January 13, 2013 at 8:32 AM
Terry back for a re-read of this gem, time you posted another ....David
O'Leary Avatar
February 19, 2016 at 7:12 AM
Thanks again, David!
Wesley Avatar
January 12, 2013 at 2:00 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!
O'Leary Avatar
February 19, 2016 at 7:12 AM
Thank you, Elizabeth!
Guzzi Avatar
January 11, 2013 at 3:38 PM
Wow a bang up job..I wrote a simiar one Meadow's Sigh I enjoyed your write this evening. Light & Love
O'Leary Avatar
February 19, 2016 at 7:15 AM
Thank you, Debbie!
San Juan Avatar
January 10, 2013 at 9:26 PM
this gives me a vivid picture of a forest fire.. I could share this with my kids too.nice rhyme.
O'Leary Avatar
February 19, 2016 at 7:15 AM
Thank you, Maria!
Collins Avatar
January 10, 2013 at 8:38 AM
Terry - Did Christmas eat you up or are you working hard at some new masterpiece these past weeks? Everything okay? love, Kathy
O'Leary Avatar
February 19, 2016 at 7:16 AM
Thank you, Kathy! (Been busy with other stuff)
Posey Avatar
January 7, 2013 at 3:08 PM
Just take all the kudos not yet sent and consider them yours.... Great write, my friend, truly award winning material..... Jake
O'Leary Avatar
February 19, 2016 at 7:17 AM
Thank you, John!
Kovrlija Avatar
January 7, 2013 at 1:09 AM
Amazing! Wonderful!
O'Leary Avatar
February 19, 2016 at 7:25 AM
Thank you, Vesna!
Carrillo Avatar
January 6, 2013 at 12:21 PM
Terry; This is aone great piece of poetry. Thanks for sharing this with us today. Many blessings. Lucilla
O'Leary Avatar
February 19, 2016 at 7:25 AM
Thank you, Lucilla!
12
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