It was dark when I got back, food in hand
the hungry hunter returning with the kill
in a brown bag sucking on a soda

It was dark when I got back
but the stars were hidden by the smoke of a struggling fire
that everyone seemed so proud of

They sat in a circle and called my name as I approached
I yelled back in return and then we all yelled together
crazy with the fire and the darkness and the heat
yelping like dogs at the moon

the fire brings it out
the simple power of it exhilarates
we are fascinated by the flames
It is the danger of it all
creation
destruction
power and fear
the fickle face of the flames
figures in the darkness
strangers in shadows
until they are too close for you to run

For the evening I was primitive again
chewing on chicken in the firelight
savoring the smoke as it wrapped itself about my skin
and wove itself into neatly the tapestry of voices
that offset the irregular staccato of the crackling fire
watching shadows move beyond the light
mixing, merging, dancing and dying
and quietly delighting in my rediscovery of fire

AcB 05.12.01