The Last Burning
A Contemplation upon Mortal Fire
The flame consumes what once it loved
Each piece of wood yields up its soul
And all that was becomes the smoke
That rises where no eye can see
What creature dares to love a fire
Knowing well how fires must die
The very heat that warms the skin
Will take its leave without reply
See how the embers glow and fade
Like small suns drowning in their sleep
The light grows thin as morning mist
And what endured becomes the past
There was a time the blaze stood tall
Its tongues could lick the very stars
Now all that hunger settles down
To silence in these final hours
The last coal breathes its orange ghost
Then blackens into perfect sleep
No phoenix stirs within the char
No secret spark does vigil keep
What ends may end with grace or grief
With roaring bright or fading small
The flame cares little for our hearts
It only knows the way to fall
And we who watched it burn so long
Must learn to love the cooling stone
To find some beauty in the dark
Where once the wild light had shone
About the Creator
Tim Carmichael
Tim is an Appalachian poet and cookbook author. He writes about rural life, family, and the places he grew up around. His poetry and essays have appeared in Bloodroot and Coal Dust, his latest book.
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Comments (1)
Nicely done. Fire is such a wonderous force. Destruction and renewal all in one awesome package.