Playing with Fire
IDLY she stirred the ashes at her feet,
The burnt-out embers of a by-gone day,
Thinking how bright that fire had burned—what heat
Glowed once, where now she found all cold and grey.
Then, idly still, scarce knowing what she did,
Fanned the pale ashes with her gentle breath,
Nor thought of fire within the embers hid,
Nor dreamed of life where all lay cold as death.
Sudden a light where all before was dark,
Shone in her dazzled eyes, and dimmed her sight,
A tongue of flame that, kindled by some spark
Undreamed of, made a noonday of the night.
She stood one moment, stunned, then in amaze
She fled, for all her world was in a blaze!