The Elements

Dancing With Fire

The whole family is sitting by the campfire like we do every night.
Laughing and playing like everyone expect two.
Me her little boy watched as my mother sits on a long staring into the flames.
She has been that way since father died.
The empyness on her face brings me to tears.
The fire dances on her face it wants her to join him.
A beat starts, the fire jumps as if welcoming the music
The flames seem to leap towards her.
The music picks up growing louder.
Light flights in her eyes as I stay quite waiting for the magic.
As she stands her long white skirt hits the dirt, her foot starts taping.
The fire answers her call and leaps even higher.
Everyone watches as her hips start to circle, the beads on her waist start to jingle.
Her movements pick up like between the music and fire are making her move with them.
Arms in the air she dances around the fire giving them both life.
No one speaks a word as she circles around and around the fire.
I stare at her in awe my mother who hasn't talked or smiled there dancing for her fire.
Sweat pours off her, but still she doesn't quit.
Her smile brings joy to the family.
Stopping she lifts her arms and like magic the fire answers her once again, it consumes her.
Covers her like a safetly blanket.
Laughing she twirls in small circles faster and faster she spins until her and the fire are one.
The beat stops and the fire slowly leaves my mother.
Breathing heavily she stares at the campfire with a huge smile on her face.
I finally run towards her and wrap my small arms around her waist.
She hugs me back and whispers " Its okay little one."
And I knew we were going to be okay.