Sacrifice

It's too hot near the edge of the fire,
Give me your hand, little girl.
"But, no; I like the heat," she said, and
"Even so my foot is caught fast."
Beneath the stone? "Yes." The stone is too
Weighty my sweet one. "If you push from
The other side, then may you move the
Stone." But then I will be in the fire.

"The flames lick closer and soon we both
Will be food for the fire."

I look up at the Moon and ask her
Guidance in the weighty decision. But She
Answers me not. Yet do the stars
Wink at me from the pale dark sea,
Jeering: "Is love worth so much to you?"
They cry. I turn my eyes away from
The sky and I know the answer.

I look down at the frail form and see
She is laden with years, but the beauty
Of her heart sings to me, and the fire
Is nigh upon us. "Are you ready?"

You know that I am. "But it has been
Such a long time." Time can not reach
Us in the fire. She looks at me, eyes
Bright blue set against the heaving red wall
Of hell and smoke. I move into the fire,
And the pain seems familiar. The Stone
Is heavy, but I know it can be moved...

She is free but cannot walk;
I am free but cannot stand.
It's too hot near the edge of the fire
Give me your hand, my love.

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