by SueC.and Cindy T.


Silent and flickering, a single flame
Beckons in the night;
Almost timid; weak, but pure ~
A gentle, calming light.
 

Wrapped in darkness and bathed in warmth
His weary body rests;
Deep and still, relaxing now
With slow and heavy breaths.

 
It yearns to grow, and seeks to break
The tight constraining bond; 
A quiet draft or small stray spark
Entices it to respond.
 
A vague unease begins to work
Its way into his brain;
A spark of fear ignites a fuse
And erupts into a flame.

 
No goals beyond its burning need
To wildly embrace the craze;
Taunting life and tempting death
This crackling raging raze.
 
Hungrily do they grope at him ~
The talons of his foe;
Closing around his consciousness
And clawing at his soul.

 
Rampant fire, Dragon’s breath
Its heat ignites the air;
Very few will dare to meet
The Titan in its lair.
 
Ripping through the peaceful night
With silence so profound;
Three tones ring out and fill the room ~
He awakens to the sound.

 
It knows the strong men coming ~
Their destinies joined by chance;
Awaiting those who’ll join it
In the frenzy of the dance.
 
The willful look on his stern face ~
Resolve that runs so deep;
He knows the unchecked powers of
The beast within its keep.

 
Sensing some ambivalence
In the warrior coming near;
It flares to meet the challenger
And feed the primal fear.
 
The greedy flame leaps toward his flesh
And licks hungrily at his skin;
It penetrates his armor ~
He feels its heat within.

 
Born across the ages ~
It guards survival well;
The roaring incantation
Will cast the magic spell.
 
With firm determination
He focuses all his might.
Bathed in water, sweat, and steam,
He battles through the night.

 
The flames are in their glory 
As the fire rages on;
But powers fail and passions fade
As night approaches dawn.
 
Nerves on edge and muscles taut
He aims his stream of water.
Brandishing his mighty sword
Toward the beast that he must slaughter.

 
The deadly sting of water strikes
And drives it further back;
Rebelling with an anguished hiss
It rallies to attack.
 
Blackness just behind his eyes
As exhaustion takes its toll;
On his knees and trembling now
Cursing at his foe.

 
It dances all around the man
In a feverish last attempt.
Slowly suffocating now ~
Weakened, worn, and spent.
 
A strong hand reaches down for him
And pulls him to his feet;
He rises not in glory,
But neither in defeat. 

 
Charred and smoldering blackened mass
Diminished to a glow;
Contented with the clash of wills
That none will ever know.
 
He breathes the bitter last remains ~
Acrid, strong, and pungent;
In his heart a Dragon sleeps
Quietly in its dungeon.

 
The embers smolder proudly ~
Steam rising from the ground;
Like spirits from a distant time
With beauty so profound.

~~~

Note from Sue:
 Cindy ~ Thanks for your Gift.  I hear the echo…
Note from Cindy:
 Sue ~ Thanks for the Voice.  I can hear the echo too...
 

©-2000