FIRE & WATER

Fire and Water once met on the hedge-

Fire flared, Water hissed, to acknowledge

Fire's to Water what snake's to snake-catcher,

But they can still keep what's most to matter.

Fire and Water played delicate games-

Burning and quenching amidst the flames;

The Contest played even for most the while,

For one winning would make It all futile.

Water soon loathed Fire's searing heat,

While his stock drained, lightening his feet;

Before long, he refused to play further,

Grew his indifference, cloaking his torture.

So Fire then grew three-fold in fiery,

And Water slunk away entirely-

Fire beat about like a ghost possessed,

Water pondered what kept Fire obsessed...

***

Water wouldn't know even if he froze

That all Fire craves is Water's approach,

For the burning throughout soul and body

Can only quench in Water's custody.

Copyright © 2017 by Oliva Rath. All rights reserved. This material cannot be copied and reproduced in any form without permission.