T H E T U S C A R O R A R E V I E W 2 0 2 2 3 5 Consuming Fire B Y K A I T L I N WA C H T E R Her hand grasps steel, Steel strikes flint— The spark awakens Then sputters, lacking fuel Tinder, dry, held in reserve, is slowly swallowed Stoking, growing light. Her soft breath encourages the flicker To flourish To trace the paper Takes patience. But it’s heavily rewarded with a spreading tongue of flame, Dancing On the perilously thin edge of kindling. Bark, brushed by flame Peeling, curling into itself Splitting, leaving open to air the vulnerable skin, White with verdant tinges. The blaze, no pity shown Consuming, in tiny bites The logs placed across, Pinning down the kindling, shuddering— Soon the air is crackling with overwhelming heat, Ash rises and flame roars, Victorious.
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