I noticed it first
a soft glowing ember among the twigs
Blowing on it softly,
I watch in fascination as it glows even brighter
It starts to engulf the brittle branches
quickly ripping and tearing them apart
It slowly grows bigger,
steady, steady.
Bigger now, ever growing,
it's getting hotter and larger.
I step back, out of the way, gently fanning it with one of my small hands.
Rapidly now, the heat grows,
sucking up any and all oxygen near by.
I'm nearly consumed by it,
I feel its scorching burn on my face.
It leaps at me,
burning my flesh, licking at my feet -- at my hands and hair and whole body.
I feel the pain, I see some red ooze from in between my toes.
I notice the orange and red glare getting larger and larger
coming for me, calling out to me.
I reach out, touching those searing fingers
sighing softly as the heat consumes me.
The golden phoenix of death wraps around my body
devouring my very soul, my flesh, my life.
I feel a soft breeze, and smile up into the air, letting the wind take me with it;
just ashes now, all gone, but still one with nature.
