this just in...

...from somewhere. i wrote it in about half an hour and i have no idea where it came from

===========

Sharing The Fire

the fire and love
bring us together and keep us warm
let's come closer and see the firelight
in each other's eyes and dazzle our hearts
that would be great

but it's not always like that
the spark of love needs dry, well-chosen tinder
must be sheltered from the wind, the rain and the cold earth
kindling must lie waiting and the heart must glow bright
as the breath feeds it

don't light your fire on a rocky spot
the rocks will crack angrily and hot splinters burn
cold wet spots bore it to death with a bottomless chill
a kindly place where the soul and nature rests is best

feed your fire with good timber
too green, and it gives no heat
too weathered and the flames die fast
learn to recognise the good stuff
don't worry about the hard work
cutting and gathering
listening and giving
in time, you will grow stronger
and it will warm you just as well

others will come to share your beautiful fire
let them tend it too
there are many ways to tend it
and you'll never know them all
share it well
you get warmer, not colder, when it's shared with a friend
a stranger knows it as the greatest gift of all
and will bring you blessings

there may be times when fuel is hard to find
or your fire dies from lack of attention
don't worry
you'll know better what to expect
don't rush
dark embers can burn and reawake
if the hearth is still warm
and they like to do it
when you're looking the other way
life is for living, don't dwell
do what you love

fire and love are very alike
they need the same things and live well together
but they're not the same, oh no
fire is a good servant, but a bad master
with love, it's the other way around