Around the Campfire

I could sit and watch

Flames flickering, sparks flying, shadows dancing

Light in the night, heat in the cold

Content to observe and reflect.

I could nurture and feed Flickering flames, flying sparks, dancing shadows Putting on sticks and branches and twigs Eager to fuel the blaze. I could gather and split Wooden fuel for flames and sparks to dispel shadows Chopping and stacking materials For a night around the fire. Watching or tending or splitting I too slowly burn, flickering, flying and dancing Striving to keep warm and shed some light Toiling, maintaining, perchance at times simply gazing. Matt Neal Lundquist

Glacier National Park 7/9/04