Forgotten Ground Regained

Defier of Gravity

Up is his down, · his easy path,down his downfall. · Death can win himthrough his own gorging, · this guest’s customwhen all unbidden · he breezes inand loud, arrogant, · eats poor wretchesout of house and home. · But heaped tables,meats in abundance, · manage no moreto ease his hunger · than empty ones,and dinner over · he dies on the spot,or unappeased · prowls to the neighbors’,merry fellow, · for more glutting,then, dead or alive, · leaves his hostsin the black, bankrupt, · brief though his stay was,a monster, clearly, · missed by no one,his rude arrival · rued and lamented.How different, though, · when, duly met,calm and engaging, · he graces a room,the loved center · of circled talk,fed, though not petted, · a peerless uniter.At length, when left, · he lingers all night,dying, paling, · till people stirand a breathed greeting · brings back his smile.
Copyright © Donald Mace Williams, 2024
Answer: fire