facets of an element

a feral car on the beltway,
abandoned and snarling,
hood up,
the reek of oil chokes my breath
a noxious cloud,
blue licks across the engine
like water on rocks.
I pass, but the image
etches itself behind my eyes,
with what should not be.

a glow across the sky.
the smell of a storm
from my porch swing.
lightning strikes—
saguaros march
ahead in flickering shadows,
arms lifted in prayer.
coals ignite a cactus flank—
red blossoms,
flowers in the desert.

a pinpoint of candle light
catches a teardrop
in dripping wax.
I see its companions:
a teddy bear,
the picture of a frolicking child,
a white ribbon tied
around the light post,
it captures the memory of light
cut short.

a flush of reddish gold
filling the hearth.
I sit with you,
your hand fever-hot in mine
as we watch the blaze
snug against the snow.
the aroma of burning cedar and cinnamon
catches on my tongue.
I rest my head into your shoulder—
home.

line count: 40

Prompt ▼

Prompt for: Sept 18, 2015 (fyn)
Subject or Theme: Facets of Fire. Fires can be awesome and scary or comforting and homey--sometimes all at the same time. Think elemental fire or physical fire ~ flames of a stove but not passion, candle flames would count, but not being fired, a match flame or a lighter flame is fire but not the fire in your loins.
(Thanks to Rhyssa for this awesome prompt!)

Word(s) to Include: fever, frolic, flank, feral (or any derivatives of these words)
Forbidden Word(s): fire, flame, forest, fear(or any derivatives of these words)
Additional Parameters: Write about four facets of fire in four separate stanzas. Remember, do not use forbidden words ANYWHERE, including title or the brief description.