The Flame

The Life of A Flame

Knowing all the phases of a flame
can be pretty artful and fantastic
A guide to flummoxed firefighters
to choose all the appropriate tactics

A fresh flame is small, not too wide
less toxic, emits low smoke plus heat
With portable firefighting equipment
can be quenched from ejection seat

Slightly seasoned, the flame brings
the panting firemen in, on the double
The fuming and searing increase
beginning to spell a bit more trouble

A fully matured flame blazes dense
through thick vapours of toxicity
More intense and scorching now
with visible curves and complexity

In decay, fossil flame runs out of fuel
A few cinders glower in restricted space
But there’s still a chance of re-ignition
Given the right ammunition in place

Author's Note

Just trying to be funny. No offence meant :)

Reviews

[.]

A fine metaphor here, dear P! What at first read appears to be a poetic offering straight from a Firefighter's manual, is in fact a clever metaphor for love and relationships and the relative power, allure and toxicity of the female. Relationships can be so much like the lifespan of a flame; starts with a spark, evolves to a full flame of heat and then withers to embers with a lack of fuel. Just as the flame itself can be dangerous, so too can the relationship and particularly the female flame in it; she brings the heat and the fire and can always be dangerous if she is underestimated. Its a very clever metaphor, quite humorous in its textbook style of articulation and well written and executed, as always. Your poems are coming thick and fast and its great to witness and read. Well done with this one, P! :))

[AJNJ]

Thank you dear Madame! I really appreciate your support and encouragement always. I hope I can maintain this pace. I doubt I can but I’m trying. You know I love scribbling endlessly. Many thanks! 🌷

[Ankita Dwivedi]

offence ? none taken .. last 2 lines were indeed funny . a witty piece . how have you been ? here after a long time ! keep safe and well , insane times uk .
XO

[Archishman Rick]

Haha, that was a very fun read, AJNJ sahib. Hope you're doing fine. Firefighters might just consider incorporating this into their prep manual for some pep! Upon some further consideration, this could also find place in a new age Chemistry textbook, haha. And as someone has mentioned in a review, it is actually a well thought out metaphor for the raging flame of the *ahem*. Just a certain one of course haha. Well written sir!

[Jimmy Yetts]

Intriguing piece--both informationally and as metaphor.
Often, "old flames" are not so easily put out.
Clever and entertaining, Pestonjee!

[emmajoy]

'A fully matured flame blazes dense - through thick vapours of toxicity - More intense and scorching now
with visible curves and complexity .. '

A great drumming of metre here, intended humour - of course, quite a metaphorically daring of words and more than a hint intended. Don't think you'll ever be a firefighter however, think more the magic weather man fanning the flames of lurve!

[AJNJ]

*Smiles*
Not one to fight fire Ms. EmmaJoy :) I prefer harnessing its warmth and joys. And if it be do or die, I'd rather be a moth in the flame. Thanks a ton for looking in on this poem!

[emmajoy]

Was only joking, thought you'd realise that. Think you did. Poor moth.. no wonder they always have their wings together as if in prayer.

[AJNJ]

Thanks for the smiles.....hard to come by these days. Have a lovely day 🤗

[jacob erin-cilberto]

had this kind of flame in a relationship once..the fire just kept starting over, spreading, getting hotter and higher, and then just getting water thrown on it.
excellent metaphor. Figurative fun...although a part of me flinched...lost a dear friend to a fire 36 years ago...and this made me feel something of what she felt at that moment.
j.

[AJNJ]

Must be painful...Death by fire is unimaginable in agony. I'm sorry for your loss.
Thank you very much sir.

[Paul Bell]

That great phrase. She lights my fire but extinguished my pocket comes to mind, though in reality, it was Julie who managed to set the tent alight lighting up a cigarette. Not heard the word old flame in a while.
Strangely enough, she married a firefighter, hope she kept him busy.

[AJNJ]

That's a good match I dare say if he remembers they are good servants, but bad masters! Thanks for reading :)

[Dhara_Ditzy Kat]

Loved the metaphor here. As a female, I could scratch you but as a brainy cat, I just have to like it. Well done!

[AJNJ]

Thank you very much Ms. Kat. I’m away at Club. Safe from any scratches.

[NotUsinganymore]

Vry interesting and informative poem. I enjoyed this, it was certainly humourous.

[AJNJ]

Thank you very much JungLee!

[NotUsinganymore]

You are welcome. c: Please check out my poem too!