Safety First
My year of flame starts with water
at hand ready to prevent burns,
to douse the cushions or tables or chairs
if the candle goes awry, if flames shoot up
to the ceiling that already has a crack in it.
I am cautious and fearful and have never played
with fire before. I was quite old before I could
light a match. The smell of smoke does not evoke
the peace of grandfathers to me
but a problem to solve.
So before flames, water, and soon
my hands are in the soapy water with
every day pots and pans, with the
iridescent bubbles playing chase
with my fingers.
Rachel Ann Russell has recently earned a Master of Arts at Wesley Theological Seminary in Washington, D.C., and has taken a number of classes at The Writer’s Center in Bethesda, Maryland. Her special place is where art turns into joy and church. She has been published, among other places, in Christian Century, the Maryland Literary Review, Time of Singing, Christian Courier, Hearts of Flesh Literary Journal, and others.
