Burned

a short poem.

at once, a spark appears 
then crack and light, the dark adheres
flickering glow, they dance and cheer
'til gust flows through, trailed by fear

beyond their distant, spectral gaze
beneath the trees and thicket maze
a beast stirs, brief blaze a call
“come now, come one, come all!”

a frantic hand clasps fallen limb
while cold, brisk air stings palm, grim
another flurry, this one more foul
out there, somewhere, a piercing howl

the grey expanse, absent light
save them, bright flame might 
a hopeful, pleasing thought shared true 
yet first there’s solemn task to do

storm-battered, silent, stiff, and tall
a tree perched, beset by squall
hand’s eyes peer up and spy its wood
dense oak, but in it, shelter stood

alone they build, a wall most high
kindling coals, for spark too shy
the wind again, its cold assault
the shelter proud, the storm was halt

the beast steps up as short flames rise
their faces bright, he realized
the shelter blocked both storm and beast
no more they fear, no more he’ll feast

but as they cheer once more with glee
a pair of hands point up in plea
a corner beam, now rubbed bare
but not a single one did care

the beast turned with crooked smile
accepting this brief exile
but entranced by light, they would ignore
and one day, soon, a crash, darkness, then dance no more.