The Moth and Flame

The moth buzzed frantic, crazed at sight,
blindly round the hot-white light
flying into doors and walls
bumbling bouncing, trembles, falls

The flame sat burning, teasing spark
'you think I'm gonna light your dark?
you got something coming, little one
let's play a game, let's have some fun'

The moth was circling faster now
closer and closer to that fiery brow
the fire just laughed and gave a flick
the moth despaired at the flame's cruel trick

'What's funny,'
said the flame with a curse
'is you need me, not the reverse'
the moth despaired and flew away
The sun would rise soon anyway

Night after night the bug chased the light
time after time the fire would fight
laughing, scorning, twisting the wings
the light knew that there would be plenty of other things

One night as the flame was doing her dance
the moth appeared in his usual stance
he said to the flame, 'I may not be smart,
I know my place, you play your part,
I know this dance is nature's way,
to make the hunter into prey'

and with a shudder of his wings he flew away

Night after night the flame blazed on
and a hundred winged creatures buzzed their songs
The moth appeared no more in sight
as if he had found another light

Then one night as the flame did burn
she saw the persistent moth return
and in an unwilling swell of heart
the core grew hotter, the heat upstart
the light would double herself in turn
to reach for the moth, she so did burn

The moth buzzed cautiously to the heat
proud of this long-awaited feat
into the closest part of the flame
the small blue center his chiefest aim

but just as he reached for her fiery hand
he felt his wings and legs disband
'no more!' he thought
in his frantic retreat,
unable to withstand the heat

The moth and the flame, forever, repeat.