The Lighter

         The transparent green square fits so perfectly into my hand, index and middle fingers wrapped around the plastic housing, thumb resting on the metal top. In one fluid movement, my thumb slides along the silver, circular wheel. White sparks flash around my fingers like lightening but the gas does not light. Again, my finger glides over the cool metal, pressing down on the gas-release button as the lightening strikes and ignites the flame.

         The delicate yellow-orange blaze dances in the crisp winter breeze, protected from being extinguished only by my cupped hand. The fire licks my fingers, stinging them slightly until the wind assaults the flame, smothering it.