Ignis igne comburet donec sistere.
-
We each have a fire inside
It burns constant and true
It drives us
A force both creative and destructive
-
The fire inside asks
“What will I be?”
-
The answer is anything
Never nothing
-
As the blood flows
And oxygen feeds us
-
We speak to that fire
When alone
Converse with it
Walk through it
-
As we use tinder
To coax the flames out
Help them grow
Spread
Consume the oxygen
-
Give birth to the notions
Create or destroy
-
Don’t let anyone smother quench or douse your fire
Don’t let anyone work against it
Welcome those who commune with it
Add to it
-
Ignore the safety warnings
When it comes to heat
Passion with direction
Purpose and cause
Is not irresponsible
-
And if it is
If it really is
-
Sometimes you need
To be irresponsible
-
Not with hearts
Or minds
-
But on Mondays
And Tuesdays
Through to
Saturdays and Sundays
-
Lifelong the commitment
To standing for something
-
We all have the choice
Until we don’t
-
At times our fire
It struggles
To stay alight
-
Remember the triangle
A balance of three
Heat
Fuel
Oxygen
-
We can’t stop
The inevitable
-
Check local laws and restrictions
Choose a safe location
Always have a supply of water and a shovel
Avoid accelerant
Never leave unattended
-
Tinder the fine and easily ignitable
Kindling the sticks and branches
Firewood to sustain the fire
Ignition primed and ready
-
Draw a circle to form the base
Line it with rocks
Give structure
-
With a ball of tinder
At its centre
With kindling leaning around it
-
Light the tinder
Once a spark bites and eats
Blow to spread
-
And once flames take hold
Lean the firewood around it
-
Until they
Burn out
-
As we are entombed
Or laid to rest on the funeral pyre
About the Creator
Paul Stewart
Award-Winning Writer, Poet, Scottish-Italian, Subversive.
The Accidental Poet - Poetry Collection out now!
Streams and Scratches in My Mind coming soon!
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Comments (21)
Oh! I love how you weave the literal fire instructions with the metaphorical fire, friend. This felt very inspiring <3
I really loved how you talked about the fire inside all of us. It is such a great reminder to keep our passions alive and never let anyone put them out. Your advice about balance and keeping that fire going was very encouraging to read. Congratulations on your Top Story!
What a poem on life and death. I choose to create not destroy. There are many lessons to learn with this one.
Congratulations, Paul! This is beautiful.
Deserving of top story, hope this is also a challenge entry! « At times our fire- it struggles to stay alight. » How true of people and fires.
Your work captures the essence of human perseverance beautifully. The repeated encouragement to nurture one’s “fire” while maintaining balance is empowering and reminds readers of the ongoing responsibility to their own passions.
Congratulations on Top story. Enjoyed the parallel advice for both the internal and external fire.
Fire poem, Paul. Congrats on TS!
oops, I forgot to give congrats for TS!!
I loved this poem, Paul and especially these lines: The answer is anything Never nothing Looks like you really know how to build a fire!!
This is a lovely bit of inspiration, Paul. Kind of surprised where you took the fire metaphor though. Probably the consequence of reading 18 flouncy, bouncy, eternally happy pieces for our challenge. Good luck!
Congrats. I think I’ve pissed off the powers that be with my fuck you pieces. They keep ovalooking me. But I shan’t post a whine disguised as poetry about it.
Loved this! The fiery metaphor for the passion inside us all was fully developed with such perfection. So glad to see you get Top Story! Well deserved. My favorite lines were "The answer is anything, never nothing." I loved both the alliteration and the uncharacteristically positive sentiment. Kind of wish the chefs upstairs read your safety instructions before we had to evacuate.
Congrats, Paul. We should follow purpose-driven passion - it's the thing that moulds and shapes!!
Ahh man truly stupendous and also know my fire inspector father is very happy you included safe handling instructions
Licking the flames 7 days a week. Life is short! Well crafted, lovely Paul!
This went full spectrum. Metaphorical to practical. Don't see that one often. Unique poem, Paul. Motivational and educational. A lot of the 'als'. Good work.
You built this like one builds a fire, the speed accelerates like dancing flames and then it slows and dies away. This whole stanza if fucking wonderful (well, the whole poem is, but ya know): "Ignore the safety warnings/When it comes to heat/Passion with direction/Purpose and cause/Is not irresponsible" 💛
Excellent. Love the way those last lines skewered me.
Poem and disaster preparedness, what more could one ask for? Well done 👏👏✨
"Avoid accelerant." Probably the best advice anyone ever gave. Well done, sir.