Exhortation to a canticle

Sweep the hearth open the draft lay down the variegated years and with the tinderbox of attention set the stack ablaze Watch the way of the wood as it changes to fire Some flames flare up and then at once subside some holdgrow strong and tall each with its own flickering shape its own ever altering hue Sit near the fireplace let yourself be warmed most of all listenlisten hear what the flames are doing with a rush of burning or with blended intimate whisperscracklessighs making the fireplace sound the mutedsweetmysteriousfireplace sound Background musicdriftingmurmuring suggesting needing words and a tune Listenabsorb this sound Only you can complete this canticle . . . .