So much a man to challenge fate,
to set a fire just to watch it burn,
To feed the flame, an enemy create,
to fight a battle, a war for him alone.
No one will notice or think to say
or show gratitude for the labor done
to provide fire to cook and comfort each day
and heat the night when the day is done.
A reward to himself for all the trees felled
and split and piled to age
Providing for winters warmth, the yield
and now the field out back a stage
to gather the brush and pile it higher
even more than one should,
to light a fire, fight the fire
feel the burn, control the wild
to see the flame hot and glowing
dancing yellow, orange, black
feeding, breathing, breeding, growing
Hades can not turn him back.
It is his reward to know neighbors across the way
contemplate his level of negligence
to fill the sky with sparks as night becomes day
as neighbors envy his arrogance
to see his children dancing about
and unwilling to come to supper
his lady carries the water bucket out
to bring her own fear comfort
as if preparedness could put out the fire
that sparks would not stray
to take the barn, the house in ire
if the field is not far enough away
but he does not care to notice with a shovel in hand
only he can win this self-inflicted war
the fire’s passion to destroy only he can understand
as his children laugh and remember his reward.
His reward: age 30
From the blog
About the Author: Sarah B. Royal
Sarah B. Royal’s writing defies convention. Her poetry and prose traverse the boundaries between structure and spontaneity, often weaving together philosophical inquiry, cultural reflection, and personal narrative. With a background in experimental literature, she is known for crafting works that challenge readers to engage intellectually and emotionally.
Her acclaimed palindrome performance play, 777 – A Story of Idol Worship and Murder, showcases her fascination with mirrored storytelling and thematic symmetry. In o x ∞ = ♥: The Poet and The Mathematician, Royal explores the intersection of poetic intuition and mathematical logic, revealing a unique voice that is both analytical and lyrical.
Royal’s collections—such as Lost in the Lost and Found, Haiku For You, Lantern and Tanka Too, and the WoPoLi Chapbook Series—highlight her commitment to neurodivergent expression and poetic experimentation. Whether through childhood verse or contemporary fusion poetry, her work invites readers into a world where language is both a tool and a playground.
Sarah B. Royal continues to expand the possibilities of poetic form, offering readers a deeply personal yet universally resonant experience. Her writing is a testament to the power of creative risk, intellectual depth, and emotional authenticity.
WoPoLi 
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