The bright yellow-orange flame flairs in the air
as the people scream for help that never reaches them
they run for water and throw it into the flame
but the flame does not vanish
it increases as the wind blows increasing
oxygen to the flame.

The fire extinguisher on the wall is not working
the carbon dioxide inside has expired
the cries increase as people burn to the ground
and some have died due to poor tissue perfusion and fluid loss

I hear the cries of starved children in the third world country
but no one is helping them with food or clothes.
I hear the cries of those with AIDS in the hospital beds
begging for more medicine but no one is listening
it is as if they are talking to walls.
I hear the screams of prisoners being tortured
but no one is running to free them.
I hear angry shouts of those who protest against
nuclear proliferation and destruction of the planet’s ecological balance.
I hear endless pleas for justice and peace all over the world
it is a wild flame burning the whole country
and there is no consolation, light or hope.