The Fiery Battle Poem by Dr. Tulsi Hanumanthu

The Fiery Battle (An Experimental Sonnet)

He stared me full in the face: I stared back.
With wrath he flared: I too soon grew hot.
Blood-shot turned his eyes: my looks turned black.
We glared and glowered, face to face thus brought!
But fiercer when he fumed, my palms went wet.
The more I cowered, the more he towered with rage.
His horrid heat made me bathe in sweat.
Yet mutely, both, did we our battle wage.

Though soon he found his voice, his words he swallowed.
His incoherent speech I vaguely followed:
“Why hate me? Your server I am, no sinner!
Don’t I provide your breakfast, lunch and dinner? ”

“O Fire, forgive me: I cannot stand your heat,
Though delicious are your dishes, both hot and sweet!