“Fuel” by Erin O’Malley-
2023 Christmas Prose for Friends and Family
Fuel for fire
Something to burn for
the holidays if desired.
Once consumed- the flame
extinguished.
Keep it burning and feed
the fire?
Continual burning may
bring more destruction than sustaining power.
What will be my fuel?
What can I offer to place on this pyre?
What can I sacrifice?
Sacrifice first killed,
dead things can bring life, a type of fossil fuel
Enthusiastic
grandchild’s hands clutching his prized dinosaurs,
Not understanding their
true nature when alive and potential for destruction.
I’ve clung to my own
prized dinosaurs-relics of past relationship
So loved, so precious
This continued
relationship is fuel-
Fuel for an unquenchable
flame of validation
Spreading uncontrolled
wildfires of societal damage.
Desperate search for
alternative fuels for cleaner energy
Taking accountability
for my part
Believing and enabling
lies-fueling duality-feeding the demons inside
Disperse and immerse the
campfire-no chance for random rekindling
Let it burn out, burn
the bridge-kill it!
Yet how can killing
something so dear sustain future life?
Help me live? Help
others live?
The consuming power of
sacrifice
Burnt offering, freely
given
Leaving nothing but
ashes from the old man of sin
My sacrifice- so small,
so insignificant, but a substitute
Sacred ordinances
pointing to the great and everlasting sacrifice
The sacrificial Lamb of
God
His Death, His
sacrifice- helping others live again
Sustaining power through
the ages
Providing an unlimited
supply of clean energy
The Fuel
