Swidden

I sail my paltry craft across the sea

to search for footprints on the morning sand,

to faithfully obey her faint command -

her siren call a message left for me.

My passion’s fuelled by fading vapour trails,

my rhythm’s measured by a quiet heart

yet from the Doldrums suddenly I start -

a single breath is billowing my sails.

A single breath upon a tiny spark

may burn a mighty forest to the ground

and so I sit and watch the flames spellbound -

my meagre craft burns till the fire grows dark.

Then, from the ash, a poem flourishes.

I realise her burning nourishes.