Little flame flickers, licking the air. 
Afraid to lose its new life, it longs to linger, 
Made, it decides, to devour with devastating tongue. 
Partial to pure oxygen, it savors the Sylvan, 
Looking for tree leaves to flesh out its form. 
Initiator of warmth for night-bound humans, 
Greed and impatience urge its emergence. 
Hurried steps might kick open the cage, it hopes, 
Toss the water key, and set it free to feed. 

(c) 2022 Saralyn Caine. All rights reserved.