A tiny ember.

It nibbles at kindling.
It is now a marble.
It is fragile and weak,
and things appear bleak.

It bites at twigs.
It is now an egg.
Its glow radiates red.
The fire is not dead.
Smoke is revealed.

It gnashes at sticks.
It is now a head.
It twists and spins,
with a crack and a snap.
The twigs grow black.
The ash falls to soil.

It devours the logs.
It is now too much.
It slashes and weaves.
The world cracks and trembles.
The air quivers in fear,
and is dryer than bone.
Sirens wail in the air.
The ground is bare.

Helicopters arrive,
and water descends.
It roars in pain.
The fire has now been slain.

Everybody leaves,
sighing with relief.

In death, it tries.
It leaves something.
A gift.
A tiny ember.