Burning Fields

THE FIRE BURNS endlessly
destroying all in its path
ransacking the field
on which it was lit
Taking out one stalk
of grass after another
it leaves nothing
in its wake

IT CONSUMES all in
it's line of sight
and it cannot be quenched
by the falling rain
pittering on the heads
of the men who stand
idly by and watch

BUT WAIT
three weeks later
soft green fescue sprouts
the charred remains of the fire
fertilizes new growth
this field is healthy
because the old was burned
like a Phoenix rising from the ashes
the men knew