There are those who follow fires,
to put them out, or celebrate them,
to save people from them,
to see flames dance, to feel heat,
to hear the roar of power,
to watch tall things crumble,
to see bright things blacken into ash.
There are those who set fires
to cook food in the wilderness
or in an oven or on a stove,
or harden pottery in a kiln,
to get rid of leaves or block a brushfire,
to collect insurance by fraud,
to hide crimes, to get even, or to kill.
There are those who with their words and hands
waken bright fires that sleep in human hearts,
the warmth of comfort to the grieving,
the heat of shame at sins seen clear,
the flickering of knowledge long forgotten,
the lamp of vision in the dark of life,
the fire that melts and purifies the soul.
O, Father, source of light,
kindle me, refine me, so my
children can find me in the night.
From his book "An Open Book"
To see who is participating in this wonderful day of words, go here.
I like this very much. This day is fun! Thanks for the poem. xo
Posted by: judy wise | November 19, 2008 at 10:41 AM
This is wonderful, Stephanie. Thank you for sharing!
Posted by: Leslie M | November 19, 2008 at 10:47 AM
I have not heard this before, but I like it a lot. Thxs.
Posted by: Mary Beth Shaw | November 19, 2008 at 01:17 PM
Thank you, Stephanie, this is really a good poem.
Posted by: &rew | November 19, 2008 at 04:30 PM
loving these poems - great choice.
xo
Posted by: JUDY WILKENFELD | November 19, 2008 at 05:51 PM
I've not heard this before. Thanks for sharing. I'll be investigating this author. The photo is fantastic!
Posted by: Tina | November 19, 2008 at 05:52 PM
In the aftermath of our horrific fires (and not so aftermath as they are still burning), this poem spoke more evocotively than ever. Thank you.
Judi in L.A.
Posted by: Judi | November 19, 2008 at 06:25 PM
very thought provoking! I haven't heard of this poem either... but very much enjoyed it.
love all of this sharing...if only we could all gather around a fire and share in person, wouldn't that be bliss!
xo
Posted by: misty | November 20, 2008 at 05:16 AM
THanks for sharing Stephi I love this
Jen
Posted by: Jen Crossley | November 20, 2008 at 04:21 PM
to have the great priviledge of being near one who carriesthe burning fire, to watch, listen, and understand. beautiful poem, new to me and i love it, thank you dear stehanie, light-carrier for so many....xoxoxoxo
Posted by: katie | November 20, 2008 at 10:57 PM