Journey to Ixtlan

The poem “Into Flame” is about the curative ways people use fire.


Into Flame

Healing comes in many forms
transformation reconciled
by a tool this may occur
to the south look for a cure
three ways to use the blaze’s form.

Another log tossed to the fire
scribed with runes for the sky
meant for those beyond the pale
asking for the favors writ
on wood consumed as they’re sent.

Burdens put to paper’s face
habits ill to owner’s fate
unwanted troubles sent away
discarded at the wheel’s request
now is time to burn the waste.

Memories haunt the present day
regrets linger where none should stay
these to twigs are assigned
attachments sent along their way
to cleansing fire they are consigned.

Now Vulcan’s kin have abet
supplicants with tools at hand
many ways to seed the change
into flame, conveyed by smoke
prayers and troubles sent away.

2016, Sean Green. All Rights Reserved, 20161216.

There was a man who invented the art of making fire. He took his tools and went to a tribe in the north, where it was very bitterly cold. He taught the people there to make fire. The people were very interested. He showed them the uses to which they could put the fire – they could cook, could keep themselves warm, etc. They were so grateful that they had learned the art of making fire. But before they could express their gratitude to the man, he disappeared. He wasn’t concerned with their recognition or gratitude; he was concerned with their well-being.

The man went to another tribe, where he again began to show them the value of his invention. People were interested there too, a bit too interested for the peace of mind of their leaders, who began to notice that the man was drawing crowds. So they decided to do away with the man. They poisoned him, crucified him, put it any way you like. Afterwards they were afraid that the people might turn against them, but the leaders were very wise. Do you know what they did? The leaders had a portrait of the man made and mounted it in a building constructed just for the portrait. The instruments for making fire were placed in front of the portrait, and the people were taught to revere the portrait and pay reverence to the instruments of fire, which they dutifully did for centuries. The veneration and the worship went on, but there was no fire.

(edit) Modified version of Anthony De Mello story