Spark (2007)

A miniscule spark
Imperceptible
Except for a wisp of smoke
She left behind her
And a remaining radiance of heat
In her trail

Hot, powerful, brilliant
Bound to kindle a massive inferno
She was the fire of potential
Coming into a dry world
To set it ablaze

She dodged the air currents
Trying to blow her out
And fueled herself on them
Burning brighter
Because of them

She escaped the dampness
Attempting to extinguish her
Pushing past them
With sizzle and steam

As though on a fuse
That precious, vital spark raced
Touching the parched and lifeless
Creating a beautiful pulse
Of comforting heat

The spark burned fast
Bright and intense
And just as quickly as she caught
She was gone

But every atom that touched her
Still blazes with her heat
Still glows with her warmth
Still burns with her energy
And that blessed fire she left us
Will never disappear

As we cherish the embers of her life
And stir the coals of her memory
We will always feel warm
And hold a debt
To that tiny
Scintillating
Spark




© Thomas Lee Horton, All Rights Reserved.
Written to honor the memory of Ashley Strickland.