PROLOGUE
The Flame, aflicker, licks and flays,
illuming evening's negligees
With braided curls she swirls and sways,
and flits and floats in light ballets
APOLOGUE
A Flame, to conquer creeping fog,
flew dancing towards a random log
The light perplexed a leery frog
beside a silent somber bog
The Flame, a ripple, all alone
alit on leaves where birds had flown
The aching twigs began to moan
A rising breeze began to groan
The Flame arrayed the ancient oak
with torrid tongues and veils of smoke
A beaver bailed, the dam had broke
The leery frog soon ceased to croak
The Flame uncoiled and lashed midair
to cauterize with utmost care
A cold coyote fled her lair,
left trapped behind... a torpid bear
The Flame, unfurled, went wild and grew,
encircled cats and caribou
Remaining... not a residue,
the reeking vapors bade adieu
The Flame revealed its strength unshackled
Flora, fauna burned and crackled
Fire Witches clucked and cackled
One more forest stripped and hackled...
EPILOGUE
The arsonists were well aware
the Flame would travel everywhere...
The weirs are gone, the land is bare,
and soon you'll find a city there