A Reprobate's Perception

For me there is no Refiner--

Only fire

That knows no respect

Of persons.

For me there is no grand purpose--

Only purposes

I choose to create

Or accommodate for myself.

What I gain from the fire

That burns everywhere

Without end,

I must take

By force and defiance

Of nature's cruelty and brutality,

By rape of nature's tender mercies

(For no mercy is due me),

Or by exhausting what defaults to me

In any given happenstance.

Perhaps it is not this way for you.

Perhaps you see a Refiner

Near the fire,

In the fire,

Or reflecting off a silver's purifying glow.

Draw strength then, from that, if you choose.

For me, there is only fire--

No silver glow,

No Refiner to know,

Nowhere else to go,

But through the flame and the fire.

--Dave Leigh

© 2004