This is a poem of mine from 2008, published in the 2010 RWP Anthology. It incorporates 3 Lines from Norman Dubie’s “Of Politics & Art”. The borrowed lines are italicized.
Here
on the farthest point of the peninsula
an office building is burning
ignited by a single match
careless or criminal
not yet known
inconceivable
that such a structure
can be so wholly engulfed
but the fire was too fierce
and the distance too great
for rescue
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
la nature du feu
like the rage of a repressed
and 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 a whole civilization can be dying
until finally a single incident
the spark
unleashes a righteous inferno
that has no bounds
it is always there
la nature du feu
all around the good people gather
stare in disbelief
how is this possible here
out here on the peninsula
not realizing that such power to combust
to blaze so brilliantly
can only be suppressed for so long
it is always there
la nature du feu
ready to explode
like the fury in the head of that match
and when the smoulder becomes full flame
all will burn
out here on the peninsula
and in here
at the still and protected center
*
rob kistner © 2022
More prosery at: dVerse
more poetry at: earthweal
~ if the world does not learn, then it will surely burn ~
~ beautiful voice — beautiful woman — beautiful spirit ~
Hot stuff, Brother. Thanks.
You are most welcome Ron! I
Yes Rob, Fire fully deserves this powerful and well crafted homage of yours. Glorious, hypnotic and awesome as the licking flames and all they represent always are….
Thank you Scott. I dug into the way back machine for it, because it is a universal truth — if you repress someone or some group long enough… they will combust!
Racism seems to have that dormant quality too, making a big comeback. Back, back to the 50’s, prudish, zealous, close-minded–led by Republicans yet again.
Yes brother, we are racing backwards socially, faster than a retracting spring. It’s fucked! 🙁
“not realizing that such power to combust
to blaze so brilliantly
can only be suppressed for so long”
These lines for me are the key….the metaphor of the one match, the sudden “woosh” as it leaps and multiplies and explodes into the nth degree of its begining…fire to inferno…there doesn’t have to be a lot of distance between those two. This as a metaphor is so very powerful. I think of that video of the knee upon the neck of George Floyd….a match in and of itself. But what gave it oxygen (how ironic that fires seethe on oxygen and that is what was denied George Floyd) was the video of the incident and the video itself became the inferno…spread everywhere and marches and demonstrations —- combusted indeed.
I enjoyed this write very much.
Glad this resonated strongly for you Lil… 🙂 …sadly, there are many matches in these times, and more than enough kindling to blaze white hot — setting the earth’s societies molten.
You captured it so well, Rob – right now, with heat everywhere, in the UK, roofs are collapsing, roads and railroad tracks are melting……houses are bursting into flame. And you are right. Given high temperatures can land anywhere, none of us are immune to fire, and other disasters. These are frustrating times, when we look to world leaders to respond – and they dont.
Thank you so much Sherry! 🙂
Like how the repetition works and yes, innate character can only be suppressed for so long- fire will burn and burn everything down.
Down trodden will only remain down trodden until they won’t — then look out!
Yes, your story of fire reminds me of caged wild animals. One day they will just go crazy and lash out. And they have!
Nicely done Rob
Thank you Christine… 🙂
I was captivated by the descriptive parallels you make here. It truly is “the nature of the fire” to smolder only so long. Evolution in reverse is tough to watch from here, let alone experience. I keep praying for better times in your beautiful country.
The American USA empire, like all empires before it, is finally in decline.
This is incredibly potent, Rob! I especially resonate with; “sometimes a whole civilization can be dying until finally a single incident the spark
unleashes a righteous inferno that has no bounds, it is always there.” Yes!
Thank you Sanaa… 🙂
The world is definitely on fire, Rob. Powerful!
If only we were fired up with good ideas!
Agreed Merril… 🙂