Flame Of Magic Energy

Flame Of Magic Energy
© Surazeus
2024 09 29

In wide rugged cove by the sparkling sea, 
beneath dark clouds that blot the Milky Way, 
Prometheus teaches Mannus, his young son, 
how to spark and tend fire in ring of rocks 
by striking flintstones to extricate flame 
of magic energy from the bright sun. 

Kneeling by his father in rocky soil, 
Mannus reaches out to touch the hot flame, 
but pauses at pain that pierces his skin, 
so he closes his eyes against bright glare 
and watches light show flashing in his head, 
persistent spots of whiteness in the gloom. 

Squinting his eyes to gaze up at the stars, 
he sees peripheral flare of rainbow beams 
gleam red, orange, yellow, green, blue, indigo, 
and violet in pulsing waves of thought 
that hang in drops of dew from graceful leaves 
and splash in shell-curve of his open hand. 

Translucent dew drops sliding down curved spheres 
of apples floating just above his head 
contain within space of their shimmering globes 
clear memories from each moment of his life, 
preserving faces of people he loves 
who vanish from sight when he looks around. 

Boiling water in round cauldron of brass, 
Mannus brews fish, apples, walnuts, and eggs, 
with honey drops in sweet delicious stew, 
then dips scallop shell, shaped like lion paw, 
to drink hot liquor, nectar of the stars, 
that fills his soul with energy of love. 

Peering through mist that rises from sea waves, 
Mannus spies young woman running in fear 
so with spear he kills the wolf chasing her, 
then roasts its meat and makes her long fur cloak 
that keeps their bodies warm as they make love, 
and she bears three sons with his silver eyes. 

While Gertha cooks and sews in hall he built, 
Mannus teaches their three wild-leaping sons, 
named Yingwo, Hirmino, and Istiyo, 
how to use fire to create useful things, 
boats to sail the sea, swords to guard their homes, 
and shovels to tame horses and tend crops. 

Almost blind with age, withered by sea wind, 
Mannus squints at flame of the setting sun, 
then takes one last look at Gertha, his bride, 
and three full-grown sons who chat round the fire, 
then wades into the sea with falling rain 
and sinks down into flash of rainbow light.