Mind quiet
Body still
I sensed a flame
Burning deep within
As I turned
My mind to it
It rose
And rose again
Into a mighty fire
Startled
I turned away
Tamped it down
Put it away
Returning to my quiet
And in that peace
I lingered on
Though I began to notice
In the mirror
Behind my eyes
The fire, still, did burn
I saw it too
In the eyes of others
In some a fire
In some a candle
The rest, it barely smolders
But I remember one
From long before
The blaze she turned on me
Whereupon I fled
It was too much to see
Her fire had startled me
Today I sit
In quiet mind
And seek the flame within
Not to snuff it
But to fan it
I’ll stoke the fire that’s me
I cannot gaze
Into the hearts of others
And hold their soulful flames
Until I’ve held my own glory
And learn to stoke the blaze
Bryce Canyon National Park
Utah, United States of America
Taken during travels, 1996