a signal from a hill
in Germany, Scotland, Canada,
the US, Sweden ,
flints the spark that ignites a flame
burning so brightly
it rivals the stars
and quickly
from tor to crag
hillock to hügel
colina to butte
the sparks begin to rise
one after the other
until each glowing ember welcomes the next
and on and on and on
around the world
brilliant bonfires of words ignite
erupting from the inferno of inspiration
on these clear starry nights,
I wait
on my rocky Ozarks ridgetop
making sure my kindling is dry
and hoping the hickory and sassafras
will burn long and hot
I wait to see that first flicker
from across the miles
I wait to share
that spark
that blaze
these words
*** in honor of the dVerse Pub and its community of poets. May the fire of their words never be extinguished.
thecourseofourseasons 
I love the image you present here. I can picture the blazes lighting up one by one around the world all ignited with a word. lovely.
This is very cool. I can see the flames igniting.
A very nice, real tribute.
great inspiring imagery…could feel the warmth of each word…
What a beautiful poem! I like your roaring dragon fire, too…
Ah, I like the idea of being united across continents by the blaze. Starting out as a small flame, we are all united in the blaze of words! One of my favorite ‘3rd anniversary’ poems!
A lovely tribute. I want to smell the burning hickory and sassafras; and read the sparks of blazing poems.
The sparks fly here and everywhere that connects–fireflies and bonfires and fireworks–dangerous, but never out of control. You are very much part of it for me. Fine writing.
Elegant words to brighten my evening Kathleen. You are a wonder in yourself. Thank you!
Beautiful use of imagery. Reminds me of the signal fires from Lord of the Rings.
Lovely images, Kathleen–any poem that uses the word sassafras gets lots of extra points in my book–such a beautiful word. K.
thanks for adding your sparks to the flame; we sure do shine bright.
So well-done here, this is a perfect image for what dVerse is all about. Excellent!
I love these words:
“around the world
brilliant bonfires of words ignite
erupting from the inferno of inspiration”
Hope these bonfires continue to burn always. Love your poem.
This is glorious! “from across the miles I wait to share that spark that blaze these words”.
Perfect!
I was thinking of the spark and fire in the LOTR too ~ I like how we are the spark of each other words ~ Your writing is effortlessly beautiful Kathleen ~ Thanks for being part of the community ~
Lovely…I really enjoyed how you captured the Pub in your words. Looking forward to more to come!
The light shines brightly, Kathleen, and brings us all together. There is power for change in fire as it takes out the old and makes room for new growth.
I love that last line, may the fire of their words never be extinguished!
Hmm..well..
what a twist..now i am last..
and
you come before..so far..
that is..
but i got here..
that’s all that counts i guess..
oh wait..!
forgot to read your poem…
be back in a few….
So i’m back..
and yes..truly words of poetry
can be like fire of light..
blazing embers..that fly like the butterfly
effect…
Changing the world..
into a much..much brighter word!
Going to the Ozarks in September… I’m excited now… maybe they’ll spark that blaze… I hope so!
that is a cool visual…makes me think of the signal fires in lord of the rings….sending on ahead of the battle the warning that they are coming…only this time it is more the joy of poetry than a battle i hope….smiles…keep lighting the way!
Thank you, dear Brian, your continued support means a great deal to me. And thank you especially for keeping the home fires burning at the Pub – it is a safe place for so many.
Not a bonfire of the vanities, but a spark of delight and an Olympic torch – yes! From my ‘montagne’ or ‘colline’ here’s a greeting to you too, Kathleen!
thanks for sharing your spark from your hilltop as well kathleen… and heck yet – let’s set the world on fire with poetry and carry those words like an olympic torch