the one he had built
with his crusty hands.
So like him-
to leave us a tough impression.
Mother gave us dried leaves,
to graze the fire,
so it never died down-
so we never died down.
Our totem was perfect,
Having perfect laws to abide
To season the fire and grow hungry,
“the fire is your god.”
To watch the dance of the flames,
“the fire is your teacher.”
To instruct the fire with our hands,
“the fire is your weapon.”
And so it will be,
that we are one with the fire-
the fire one with us.
He would have wanted it that way.