Life's Flame -

One dark and stormy night

A fledgling fell from flight

Into a falconer’s arms--

Though dead it seemed to be

The falconer could not see

Any wound to cause such harms--

The falconer bound it 'round

And laid it on the ground

Then went and built a funeral pyre--

With the bandaged bird within

Soon the flames began to spin

Tangle up and then grow higher--

From there a phoenix bold

Rose up of flame and gold

Twisting about within the air--

Still bound it hung above

And sang of pain and love

Of magic power both dark and fair--

I am life’s flame!

Respect my name!

My fire is red my heart is gold--

Thy dreams can be!

Believe in me!

If you but let my wings unfold!

Up spoke the falconer’s fear

«There may be danger here

I cannot let this raptor free--

It’s words I cannot trust

It burns with power’s lust

And so in turn it could burn me--»

The falconer then moved fast

And iron shackles cast

Thus catching up the bird in chain-

«Thy fear has boded ill

And bound me 'gainst my will

Now I must die and rise again--»

The phoenix burned so bright

It burst upon the night

It’s golden breast did flame and flare--

One flash of fire and then

Came stormy night again

And found the falconer holding air!

The magic never dies

In children’s hearts it lies

Pray let them learn from times before--

From dragon’s flame and ire

Can come forth phoenix fire

And we will hear the song once more--