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Life and Death

by George Hoerner

a spark springs through

the dry pine straw

yellow, red, and blue flames

flicker through air searching

for more dry tinder

licking the edges, testing

for the driest pieces

the quickest nourishment

that encourages desire and growth

flames climb through dry fuel

displaying a ravishing hunger

for growth and survival

following the wisps of smoke

feeling for air currents

which reach upward

chewing the rough outer bark

reaching the soft split interior

the splintered branches, limbs

or trunks of tough oak or hickory

it matters not as the flames

are now raging

thrashing about grasping

trying to cling to everything

demanding more and more

oxygen to feed and extend

this furious fervor

flames now flourish but

suddenly almost as if by instinct

the flames subside

seeming almost sufficient

unto themselves while

now revealing

warmth and tenderness

of radiating red hot coals

steady in their heat and color

slowly diminishing in

level of radiance and brightness

as ever so slowly time passes

10/15/2005

Posted on 01/27/2009
Copyright © 2024 George Hoerner

Member Comments on this Poem
Posted by Don Matley on 01/27/09 at 02:38 AM

As a child I sat on the hearth of my father's fireplace and stared in amazement at the rites of passage of the fire from start to glowing embers. My father,being English, had the fireplace added after the home was built. He roasted chestnuts in it as we did popcorn. I have a fireplace and it often takes me back to my youth as I still am seduced by the licking flames. Your poem is a great descriptive of the phenomenon. If I ever run out of wood I will sit on the hearth and read it aloud. Thanks.

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