Into the heart of fire

The wood smoke burns the eyes

And the sharp sting of it smells

Yet is roomy, home

y and smoky

Sensous with its heated promises

and unspoken warmth

The men camp around it,

Looking into it with their hands stretched

out

To the casual observer, it seems like

It seems like a group

But only they know the secret

Each man stares, as if looking into his demons

His inner secrets and desires

into the red heart of the fire

where flames burn the hottest and brightest

And one can get lost trying to trace each pattern

Each man stares, looking, seeking, deriving

One by one, the people drop away

Their answers left unanswered

Their bodies warm and minds cold

The few remain seeking

Staring into the very heart,

As if staring into a mirror

And unbidden, a spark leaps out

A leaf catches fire and burns itself to ash

And the man has got his answer