Relationships Poem by Cheryl Ricci

Somewhere I read that relationships are living things
I like to think of them as flames in a fire
Starting out blazing, too hot to touch
Slowly dying down to a steady burn
Warming us, giving us a glow
Bellows used to keep the flames alive
Stoking the embers when they die down
Leaving us with a spark
And if left unattended
Will die out
Leaving us with no heat all

Relationships
Always needing to be tended to
Not only in a direct way, but indirectly
Like the bellows softly blowing fresh air into the fire
A touch, a smile, a hug, an encouraging remark
Listening and hearing what is said

Relationships can bring a life of comfort
Knowing that even if the flame is not ablaze
Stoking it will keep it burning evenly and warm

But there can become a time in a relationship
When there is a stillness
Each day beginning and ending with existence
A quietness
That no longer brings comfort, but pain
Knowing that embers are dying out
And there is no longer a reason to stoke them
Barely a spark remains

Even when you try to restart the flame
It may burn erratically, never strong and steady
And in time you just let it die out

Relationships
Like the fire, burning strong
Keeping us warm
Or slowing dying, letting the spark burn out
Leaving us with just the cold