Who have you known
whose life was a steady blaze of light?

There are many in my memory
with striking moments
of blaze
revealed in little decisions to love
despite pain and suffering.

My cousin Gary
had a persistent neck pain
so bad he had a constant bow
but gladly answered my calls for help
with my stubborn computer.
His wife wouldn’t tell
but I’m sure like all of us
he was selfish and ego driven
from time to time.
That pain: a cancerous tumor
that finally took him and his cheer from us.

I’ve had flashes and flickers
but a steady blaze?

Is there one person you know
with the steadiness
of that light?

When you start a fire, it has a burning desire.

It can burn down trees and lands, but also help in everyday needs for survival.

It whispers very quietly, telling you the beautiful truth and the terrible lie.

The fire glows, flickers, embraces, dances, crackles.

But do not be fooled by its beauty, for it can burn, roar, blister, and blaze.

Its waves of heat and anger can **** you and give you a painfully sharp touch but it can also help you with its protective warmth.

How is it possible to have so many beautiful memories
with a person
and then one day
to have them all burned and reduced to ashes?

How is it possible for the person sharing these memories
with you
to be the one striking the match?

I thought that my tears alone
would be enough to put the roaring flames out,
but I discovered that it was a two-person job,
and he wasn't crying.

So it burned
The fire raged

And now we're nothing but grey ash

You're like a smoke detector.
A smoke detector without batteries.

You're supposed to warn me, protect me, save me...
You're supposed to be there before the flames engulf me.

But a smoke detector without batteries is only there for show.
Because by the end of the blaze...

I'm already a pile of rubble.

{df - 03/16/17-}

A little bit of poetry and
A nice long blaze
That's what I call
The end of my day