A flame burned
In the midst of a fiery inferno
But did not understand why

Why they yearned for oxygen
Gulping it in by the mouthful
When they didn’t know
Why or how it helped

Why they feared the water
Sizzling and crackling in fright
When they didn’t know
Why or how it hurt

The flame looked around
And wondered

How could they
Accept what they did not understand
How could they
Gain a faith so pure and strong
How could they
Glean meaning from the unknown

The flame flickered
In a gust of wind
And then burst forth
Stronger and brighter than ever

And now it wondered
More than questioned
Marveled
More than doubted

And deep down
It experienced a gnawing hunger
For faith so pure and strong
And desired
To be one of them
Who did not question
But believed