Burning

Iridescent quality of the
incandescence of burning hot
flames tended to in the oven
to breathe life in an effort
becoming, evolving, creating

Reminiscent now of the epitaph
cold to the touch once burning
brightly but now on a granite
headstone quiet in a graveyard
resting ‘neath a tree on a hill

Brilliantly colored and glazed
once held in hands turned on the
potter’s wheel made hard in the
fire baked to perfection holding
bread on someone’s supper table

Mirror brilliant reflecting images
back to the viewer once held by
glass maker’s hands to blow air
within, the heat not breaking, now
viewed in awe in the shop window

White hot the flames fly a shower
of sparks threatening to burn the
artist’s hands ever-present seeking
solace in the knowing that fire is
creation to images unfolding within