Salamander (inspired by Fahrenheit 451)

“It was a pleasure to burn.” It was a pleasure to bask in the glowing warmth Like a sun upon a beach Like a candle in the dark A fire in a hearth. The logs smoke and crackle, turning sleeplessly, The ashes stir tentatively, hesitantly, as something emerges Like a babe new into the world Like a flower blossoming in spring A salamander from the flames. Born as a spark but matures as a holocaust Destined to consume itself in starving ecstasy Like a sun going nova Like a candle melts its own wax A fire eating the whole house. It was a pleasure to consume and be consumed. It was a pleasure to burn.