by Cheryl Batavia

Keepers of the Flame

Campfire built from fallen wood. Photo used by permission of photographer.

Keepers of the Flame

Forest fire. Photo by Henrique Malaguti from Unsplash.

Discovering Fire

Lightning strikes!

Dry grass up in flames,

trees on fire.

Seeking warmth,

humans save burning embers…

Keepers of the flame.

Campfire photo used by permission of the photographer.

Homefires

Homefires burn

near mouth of the cave,

repelling

predators.

Hunter-gatherer bounties

roasting over coals.

Bonfire photo used by permission of the photographer.

Bonfires

Tribe gathers;

communal fire burns…

songs, dancing,

stories told.

Festivities continue

late into the night.

Photo of wild blackberries by Rodion Kutsaiev from Unsplash.

Controlled Burns

Forest fire,

nature’s renewal.

Controlled burn,

friend of man,

creates fields of sweet berries,

drives herds to hunters.

Campfire extinguished, dugout canoe long-departed. Photo used by permission of the photographer.

A dug-out canoe is carved from the trunk of a single tree and hollowed out with the help of fire. Photo by Pura Communicacao from Unsplash.

Campfires

Stone-age man.

Fire-crafted dug-out canoes

traveling

waterways.

Building fires along the way

to cook fresh-caught fish.

Prehistoric art depicting hunting. Photo by Rabbah Al Shammary from Unsplash.

Stone-Age Humans

Cave paintings…

charcoal, red ochre.

Viewed by light

of bonfires,

reflecting the daily lives

of our ancestors.

Contemplating a fire in the fireplace. Photo by Oxana Lyashenko Dkohi from Unsplash

Modern-Day Humans

Building fires

at mouth of the cave…

controlled burn.

By the light,

festivities continue.

Keepers of the flame.

Modern-day backcountry campsite. Photo used by permission of the photographer.

Copyright© 2023 by Cheryl Batavia

https://a.co/51DGEok

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44 Comments

    1. Unknown's avatar

      Thank you, Michele, for your kind words. I am so happy that you enjoyed the post! ❤

      Reading your comment, I just realized how long it has been since I sat near a campfire! The lovely campfire photos made me remember those days and inspired me to write! I think backcountry camping is for those decades younger than I am, as is the photographer! 🙂

      Liked by 1 person

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      1. Unknown's avatar

        You are welcome, Cheryl! I was warmed by the read. I spent a great deal of time camping as a kid. More recently – a couple of years ago. With cooler weather approaching, I shall explore opportunities to enjoy a campfire. There is nothing like it. 🔥

        Liked by 1 person

    1. Unknown's avatar

      Thank you, Eugi, for your kind words! So happy you enjoyed the post! ❤ ❤ ❤ The campfire photos were the inspiration for the poems.

      Oh, I do hope your weather warms up! We had two freezes last winter. It usually only gets below freezing once every ten years here. Crazy weather! Drink lots of hot chocolate, hot cider, hot coffee, or hot tea. Stay warm, and have an enjoyable day! 🙂

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  9. Unknown's avatar

    I love the sequence you have chosen to describe how fire is used. Your words and pictures are in sync. A beautiful post indeed!💖 Winter is round the corner in India, when people in extreme cold area start using campfires.

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    1. Unknown's avatar

      Thank you for your thoughtful comment, KK. ❤ I am delighted that you enjoyed the post. The poems were inspired by the campfire photos.

      I hope the Indians who live in extremely cold areas have a mild winter. Campfires for recreation are enjoyable, but if you depend on them on a daily basis, they must be a lot of work. We complain about traffic, slow internet, and other annoyances of modern life, but life for some is difficult on a more basic level.

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      1. Unknown's avatar

        You’re welcome, Cheryl! I agree with you, disparity in the society is painful, campfire for some may be a recreation, but for some it’s a necessity.

        Liked by 1 person

  11. Unknown's avatar

    Campfires have been a timeless source of warmth, light, and connection for our ancestors throughout the ages, fostering community and storytelling beneath the starlit skies. What a wonderful presentation through the pleasant poetry. Loved it so much dear Cheryl 👌👌❤🤍💛

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  17. Unknown's avatar

    Fire, one of the elements of which we are made. The pictures are love and the poems are relatable. I have recently attended two bonfire nights. Oh, they were incredible. But also, were a great learning experience on the human part. Thank you for the lovely post.

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