FIREDANCER

It was waiting in the distance

A ridge at the edge of the horizon

An olive grove, I thought

It took years for me to get there

Walking a little each evening

Mildly curious, expecting nothing 
My careless drifting across the landscape

Later at home I found the gash

Slicing its way over existing scar tissue

I let my fingers touch it

It was exquisite — a secret wound

I would nurture this one

Drape it in all my intricate finery

Bandage it with black laces

Read to it from ancient story books

What beautiful olive trees I said
Staring from the periphery

I spied flames somewhere at heart’s centre

A blaze was raging

Radiating heat and a multi-hued riot
Burnishing the path and the stones beyond

A scattering of newborn stars

Caused the fire to appear striking

Its veins hypnotizing in the twilight 

Masterful thief 
A firedancer waits in the grove