Fire

A campfire in a forest clearing Families and friends sharing deeds of derring do sorrows and joys along the way telling ghost stories under a crescent moon, Nurtured by the bright red and orange flames crackling ash, maple, cedar tones and their distinctive smoky aromas, Bonding with hot dogs on a stick with the works: mustard/ketchup, relish, onion and tomato slices, And smores…

A bonfire outside city limits Arrows of heat shooting toward skyscraper heights with sparks of unrestrained passion, Dancing flames beckoning human witnesses to release political correctness cultural taboos personal inhibitions, Uniting present with past ancestral histories with current narratives, Our vital thread of existence…

A wildfire occupying population centers Blazing a trail with scorched earth intention an unbiased incineration of forests, grasslands vineyards, orange groves celebrity estates, ranch-style homes future hopes, histories of achievement, Defying all efforts of orchestrated unity political finger pointing climate change discussions, A monumental task to extinguish once unleashed...

A suddenly wide awake volcano A feral force of Mother Nature living in the bowels of Planet Earth amassing a litany of grievances (centuries of human intolerance, neglect) reaching its boiling point Blows its top spewing bits of primeval rock and lava as a molten river of unrepentant fury on paths of unstoppable destruction…

Fire The light we read by The heat we warm by The means we cook a meal for sustenance.

David Nekimken 11/18/18