The Flame

The body burns
So does the heart

The world burns

Angry and hurt in parts

The heart of the earth

The hot core

Does that heat corrupt us 

All the more?

And yet, what a wonder

The red hot flame devouring

At its dark center

It keeps coolness in hiding!

This anger and power

Is it all a show?

A manifestation

Of a soft, inner glow?

The heat within

Sucking all, drying 

Lacing even goodness

With malice, withering

What's at the heart of

The body and soul?

A cool, dark place

Or a hot core?

Does the mind burn

From a spark within

Or is inflamed

From external firing?

All the drama

Happening outside

Does it originate

From somewhere inside?

Or deeper still

Away from the flames

Lies something calm

Playing its own game?

Which do you follow?

The one roaring above?

Ablaze and consuming

The expanding inferno?

It awes, it inspires

It gives, but takes much

And finally dies

Leaving all in the lurch

Only to be drawn in

To reach finally

That cool place

At the end of its journey

 

Even the fire submits

Unable to sustain

Subsiding in the cool

Surrendering without restrain

Crying out in pain

Burning more and more

Constantly adding fuel

Only to go out cold

Keep it alight

Keep it aglow

Lighting your path

You have far to go

Let there be warmth

Let the life force flow

And when it dies

Learn to let it go.