The Spark

Without fire, the giant sequoia cannot reproduce.

A tiny spark ignites

The forest floor ablaze

Red-hot flames surge upward

Heavens eclipsed by haze

Fire consumes the thicket

Exposing blackened earth

A perfect bed prepared

Awaiting the new birth 

Old sequoia smolders

Its pulse proceeds to pound

Dozens of roasted cones

Shed their seeds to the ground

Nature sings a melody

To the rhythm of the rain

In harmony the sunlight

Warms the wet terrain

Under the towering giants

 I marvel with surprise

Pushing up from the ashes

Tender seedlings rise.

Author: debbieburton.blog

Debbie Burton is a children's author and award winning poet. Her books, "Buddy the Beagle on Blueberry Street," "Return to Blueberry Street," and "Truckload of Trouble." (Elk Lake) are available through Amazon and Barnes and Noble.

4 thoughts on “The Spark”

  1. Hi Debbie, I wanted to get in touch to say how much this poem amazed me! I feel as though I have been ‘going through the fire’ lately! A few days before reading your poem I had been reading about Shadrach, Meshach and Abed-Nego – marveling at their incredible attitude and how God delivered them without a hair on their head singed! I also remembered a phrase that I felt God impress upon my heart around 10 years ago, which was this: “Faith is wrought in the furnace of opposition.” So when I then read this poem (I had no idea about the Sequoia), I was just stunned. Thank you so much for this, it’s a wonderful poem and incredibly personal and encouraging to me.

    Liked by 1 person

    1. Angela, I appreciate your interpretation of “The Spark.” Thank you for sharing your insight with me. I agree that adversity builds godly character. I am familiar with the Bible story you mentioned, and I also remember there was a “fourth man” in the fire who delivered Shadrach, Meschach, and Abed-Nego. The fourth man was Jesus Christ, our rescuer and savior. He will never leave you. Hold fast in prayer. Blessings, Debbie.

      Like

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