Trial By Fire

By Tanyaa Sarkar

The strands of flames dance wildly before you Its locks entice you to come near One small pang can burn you through

And introduce you to fear.

Its bright tongues lick and tickle the night sky It belches spark and coughs up smoke It emits heat for those who lie Shivering in forests under the trees of oak.

Many souls are set free by the mercy of fire Its flames are the gateway to another realm In another heaven untainted spirits shall retire In another hell they shall condemn.

Its dazzling flames can hypnotize Its perils you know not In it you may find wicked eyes Ready to strike when you’re caught.

It has a mind of its own It rages through all it finds Alone under the lonely sky it shines To all who come too close, it blinds.

Yet it provides comfort and certainty for those in need Its holy sacredness signifies life To all those who sleep in hunger it feeds It makes nourishment rife.

It resembles the will power residing in the heart of a person How they keep on going even when all is lost In the face of situations that worsen All their limits they had far crossed.

The strands of flames dance wildly before you Its locks enticing you to come near One small pang can burn you through

And introduce you to fear.

By Tanyaa Sarkar