FIRE FOLLOWING FLOWERS
BY GWEN KAMMIEN GINOCCHIO, SEPTEMBER 2019
SUFFERING….SOMETHING IGNITES IT,
A TERRIBLE ACCIDENT,
A DISEASE,
A LOSS
FLAMES LEAP AND SOAR,
SPREAD AND ROAR
SCORCHING BODY, MIND AND SOUL
YOU THINK THERE IS NO END
BUT THEN…
THE SEARING PAIN IS NOT SO FIERCE,
THE FIRE WANES
AND ONLY SMOULDERING HOT SPOTS REMAIN,
A SLIGHT WIND MIGHT STIR
AND SCATTER EMBERS
A MEMORY SWIRLS, THEN SETTLES
BUT WE WONDER….
WHAT WAS IT ALL ABOUT?
IS THERE ANY MEANING FOR OUR PAIN?
ONLY LOOK TO NATURE --
AND THE FIRE FOLLOWING FLOWERS
SOMETHING WAS DESTROYED,
SO SOMETHING NEW COULD GROW
THEIR BEAUTY IS RESPLENDENT
BORN OF DEVASTATION
THE FIRE FOLLOWING FLOWERS
BEGIN THEIR GROWTH CYCLE
SOON AFTER THE FIRE IS OUT
WITH RARE HUES AND DELICATE PETALS
THEY HAVE NAMES LIKE COASTAL LOTUS,
FIRE POPPY, TURNING SNAPDRAGON
AND WHISPERING BELLS
THEY ARE BOUNTIFUL AND PRECIOUS
LIKE THE GIFTS BORN OF SUFFERING:
COMPASSION,
UNDERSTANDING,
QUIET STRENGTH
LOVE.
Categories:
ginocchio, beauty, bereavement, endurance, grief,
Form: Free verse