A Friend's Love

A Friend’s Love

The rain drops

Plop, plop, plop

The fire sizzles and hisses

With each drop of rain

The wind blows

Breathing life into the fire

My foot stamps frantically

Trying to put it out

Suddenly a friend

Touches my shoulder

And stands in the fire

By my side, smiling

No longer is there need

To stamp out the fire

Its life energy is a teacher

And, I, the student

Walk through the fire

Whether in darkness

Or brilliance

Be in awe of the flame

The smoke may thicken

My destination be obscured

If I am too afraid

I know I can reach for my friend’s hand

Exiting the fire

Relief washes my body

Until I see all around me

Infinite fires – big and small

With a smile

And an open heart

I look for my dear friend

Only to see now he walks through fire

The tides have turned

The moon is new

The leaves have fallen

The season has changed

With love and compassion

I enter the fire

And touch my dear friend’s shoulder

It is my turn, to gently hold space

--Janelle Alex