The Fire

The fire spoke  
   
you are cold,  
let the flowing passion of my love warm you  
   
so the man drew closer but not too near  
he knew better to trust the word of fire  
and so began a lifetime courtship  
the fire's lust contained  
so too the man's rage damped down to embers  
   
sinuous flames always present  
the feral urge to escape the bonds of earth  
were to him the endearing whispers of a lifelong lover  
sitting at camp he would talk long into the night  
and the fire would always answer  
with the tender understanding of a mistress  
   
The forest sounds fell silent one night  
a pregnant pause of foreboding  
animals and trees seemed to hold their breath  
afraid the smallest sound would open a door  
that must never be allowed to exist  
   
The evening started innocently enough  
two strangers seeking warmth, commenting  
   
heard a rumor you found some gold  
we think you should share with us  
   
don't put your faith in rumors  
   
the reply  
as they hit him from behind  
   
The pain almost unbearable until it truly was  
they swung, a full armed swing of malice  
   
where's the gold?  
   
something snapped and a switch flipped inside  
the very next fist to strike his face  
burst into flames that even burned under water  
   
Not even heaven  
could restrain the savage hunger of those flames  
ashes were all that remained of the men who played with fire  
the fire set free reared up seeking the life of trees  
   
No!  
   
shouted the man, horrified of what the fire foretold  
   
Take me!  
I am your lover  
   
not the animals and the forest  
   
Take me!  
   
he shouted,  
   
my life for the lives you seek  
   
To this day, the forest is said to be haunted by the ghosts of star crossed lovers