Poetry Explorer


Classic and Contemporary Poetry


THE HEARTH SONG by PERCY STICKNEY GRANT

First Line: I AM THE HEARTH-FIRE
Last Line: ARE THEY AS RED AND HUNGRY AS I?
Subject(s): FIRE;

I am the hearth-fire
Hear me roar and hiss;
Hear me crackle and snap;
Feed me that I burn.

Come near to me for warmth,
Shy lovers;
For mutual vows and cozy joys,
For heat fiercer than love.
Gaze deep and see your dreams.

I hold to the solid earth.
I leap to the sparkling stars.
I do both at once.
That is my way of loving.
Is it yours?

Furiously I flame,
I dart upward.
My thousand ruddy swords flash,
Dipped in life blood.
I flicker, I escape, I die.

Ha! Ha! your little loves!
Short-lived are they as I.
Are they as bright and pure?
Are they as red and hungry as I?



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