Image by Jocelin Carmes
So inconceivable
he thought…
that such a structure
can be so wholly engulfed
the fire so fierce
but what of the fury
in that single first flame
to have leapt
so viciously
to consume
to ravage
to devastate
so absolutely
it is always there
the nature of fire
like the rage
of a violated being
too long held down
unjustly deprived
confined
all potential denied
where there is great potential
spirit squelched
where there is great spirit
sometimes
an entire people
can be denied
until finally
a single incident
a single first flame
unleashes a righteous inferno
that has no bounds
it is always there
the nature of fire
the power to combust
to blaze
so brilliantly
can only be suppressed
for so long
it is always there
the nature of fire
ready to explode
like the fury
in a single first flame
like the fury
in a suppressed people
and when the smolder
becomes full flame
all will burn
it is always there
the nature of fire
~ Ukraine will be released ~
*
rob kistner © 2023
Poetry at: The Sunday Muse
More poetry at: dVerse
Absolutely beautiful. A beautiful tribute to the people of Ukraine.
See you in a few minutes at OLN LIVE!
Be patient when you get to OLN LIVE….it takes me a few minutes to get in and get started 🙂
Thank you so much Lil, you got it up and running today very smoothly. I just stayed up all night so I would be there on time for when it began, I went back to bed immediately afterward and I just woke up so I’ve had about four 4 1/2 hours sleep, but I’m doing OK. The turnout certainly proves that doing a Saturday at least once a month along with the Thursday that we do twice a month, makes a lot of sense. Great idea!
You have captured its power so well. I lost everything to fire once, started over from scratch. I especially like the stanza about the fire in a suppressed people, how it will ultimately burn for freedom. Let’s hope so. Actually, we are seeing it in Ukraine right now. Such courage.
Thank you Sherry I appreciate your kind words. I am so sorry to learn that you lost so much in such a devastating fire. I know that it’s taking courage to build back from that. Again you have my sympathy my friend.
I so enjoyed your reading today, Rob! The repetition of ‘it is always there / the nature of fire’ is very effective – it’s always there – and the description of the fury in that single first flame. I like the way you shift from the fury of the fire to ‘the rage / of a violated being’.
It only takes one either, the first flame or the first person to rebel, and you’ve got an inferno. Want to fire the other is revolution. Thank you Kim I’m glad you enjoyed this.
Let the flames of freedom burn bright for Ukraine. Sorry to miss hearing you read this this morning.
Amen my friend. I stayed up all night so I wouldn’t sleep through it — then after went immediately to bed… got 4 hours sleep. Oh well… 😉
I like this a lot. It’s heartening to think that the inner fire that longs for freedom is always there.
Thank you Suzanne… 🙂 I think the human fire that burns for freedom lives in each of us — but sadly not everyone gets to realize it, and that is a crime against nature.
Perfect and powerful, Rob!
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Thank you David.. 🙂
This is such a poignant tribute to the people of Ukraine, Rob! I so hope they are released soon. Saturday was such a success! 🙂 I think we will be having more sessions. Fingers crossed!
Saturday was fine… 🙂
Powerful–each line has a pull and spark.
Thank you Chrissa… 🙂
A powerful poem, Rob!
Thank you Ingrid… 🙂
The world is on fire just like the house… loved to hear you read it.
Thanks Björn… 🙂
One of your finest my friend! Powerful and poignant! I love it!
Thank you Carrie… 🙂
“and when the smolder
becomes full flame
all will burn
for freedom”
That is what we all pray.
Amen.
The rage in your poem is so natural. Im reading in response to The Sunday Muse pronpt.
Much?love
Thank you Gillena… :). Much love
I love the repetition of that idea “it is always there, the nature of fire”. Your poem really gives that thought power and beauty.
Important to realize that fire truly is but a spark away, the same is true for a social spark if the fuel of repression or suppression is there.
It takes such a small start, the tiniest flame to grow into either justice or devastation. Great voice for the image.
Thank you so much Susie… 🙂
Devastation and rage – all too common now. The repetition of :
it is always there
the nature of fire
powers this poem.
So glad it resonated for you Sara… 🙂