Clinging to the warmth of the fire
Ignoring the approaching cold of winter
The crisp snow underfoot; the chill of mortal bones
Keeping those memories of lazy, hazy summer’s days alive
Watching the flames rise higher and higher
Its red merging with the orange
The large blending with the small
The fire pattern mesmerising
The unity of its elements putting mankind’s mandala to shame
The flames dedication to solidarity; the fire remains as one
A cloudless sky and its twinkling gems
A tapestry of the past; neighbours so far away
Star gazing keeps the reality of winter at bay
Summer turned to autumn; green to red then grey
Falling leaves; then the fear the ice will be too thin to cross
The dancer on the lake falling, sliding
A crack in the ice; a missed heart’s beat
Numbing cold as feet plunge into the tomb underneath
Grasping hands grip those shaking shoulders
And the flames of a fire banishes the cold later
Its untainted mandala magical; mesmerising; enlightening
A force of nature alive in all four seasons
A welcomed foe yet a deadly enemy
But rarely is it the flames which kill;
Smoke ... the executioner ... banishing the air; life needs the air to breathe
Taking in a deep breath of the cold winter air
Traces fume as the vapours freeze
Moving closer to the fire for warmth
The world sleeps and the lonely moon looks on
The column of flames rises still higher as more fuel is added to the fire
The crackling and hissing; the sizzling; blackened wood
Visual patterns within the flames mandala
A shifting pattern; a restless spectre
Keeping the scions of winter at bay whilst there is sufficient fuel
But once it is spent; the hold of winter will have its way ...
Matthew James 21 September 2001
