Life’s Flame

One dark and stormy night
A fledgling fell from flight
Into a falconer's arms--
Though dead it seemed to be
The falconer could not see
Any wound to cause such harms--

The falconer bound it 'round
And laid it on the ground
Then went and built a funeral pyre--
With the bandaged bird within
Soon the flames began to spin
Tangle up and then grow higher--

From there a phoenix bold
Rose up of flame and gold
Twisting about within the air--
Still bound it hung above
And sang of pain and love
Of magic power both dark and fair--

I am life's flame!
Respect my name!
My fire is red my heart is gold--
Thy dreams can be!
Believe in me!
If you but let my wings unfold!

Up spoke the falconer's fear
"There may be danger here
I cannot let this raptor free--
It's words I cannot trust
It burns with power's lust
And so in turn it could burn me--"

The falconer then moved fast
And iron shackles cast
Thus catching up the bird in chain-
"Thy fear has boded ill
And bound me 'gainst my will
Now I must die and rise again--"

The phoenix burned so bright
It burst upon the night
It's golden breast did flame and flare--
One flash of fire and then
Came stormy night again
And found the falconer holding air!

The magic never dies
In children's hearts it lies
Pray let them learn from times before--
From dragon's flame and ire
Can come forth phoenix fire
And we will hear the song once more--