The flames speak.
Each crack a noun, each snap a verb, each sizzling hiss an adjective. All part of a language no person can comprehend, part of an infinite chain of echoes that has been flaring and dying since that first bolt of lightning kissed the trees in the Earth’s infant years.
Interconnected, but not a hive-mind. Sentient, but not sentimental. Alive, but not quite living.
The flames sing.
They repeat every story ever told to them, mimicking the words and waves that thump out a beat for their endless dance. They absorb and become those stories, fueled by the tales and their troubadours, perpetuating the oral tradition with burning lips.
Every campfire a ghost story. Every grease fire a spitting satire. Every bonfire a Homeric odyssey.
The flames rage.
They’ve seen it all, those eyes in the inferno; the wars of steel, the wars of hearts, the wars of gold and greed. They know our history as it is their own, and lash with red-hot whips against the conflagration of our culture.
Unable to stop us. Unable to tell us. Unable to do anything but burn us if we get too close.
The flames die.
Their energy dissipates, leaving only the light of elder embers and the chants of a slow dirge. The heat leaks, and with it the story, warming the air and ground and soul of the planet, sprouting into new fledgling flames somewhere in the unseen distance.
In every flick then lick of fire or flame a word and idea. In every human eye a reflection of the glow. In us all a burning need to tell.
Tagged: beer, beer fiction, beer inspired fiction, beertography, brew fiction, craft beer, DIPA, double ipa, double jack, fiction, fire, firestone walker, flash fiction, IPA, literature, photography, sentient fire wtf oliver really, short story
Literature and Libation 
Love Firestone Walker Brews:) Thanks so much for sharing – Have a Great Day – Cheers!!!
Me too! Thanks for reading 🙂
That looks and sounds spectacular! What’s the alcohol content? It’s just out of view, it seems, in the photo. A wonderful and fun post too, Oliver.
Thank you! It’s 9.5%, so pretty hefty on the old drunk-o-meter. Still very, very good. Highly recommended.
So you enjoyed it? 🙂
It is phenomenal. I’d buy it often if it wasn’t ~$9 a bottle wherever I can find it.
It’s also available in 4 packs for smaller dosings. 😉
Very nice piece (and a great beer). I may have to “borrow” a couple of your tags to add to my post from yesterday – if that’s OK with you.
Cheers!
Thanks and I agree. I’m in love with this stuff. Might buy a bottle and hide it from myself for a birthday treat.
Borrow anything and everything you want.
If I had to choose a favourite line – Interconnected, but not a hive-mind. Sentient, but not sentimental. Alive, but not quite living – but loved the overall richness of this. Well observed!
What a perfect post for fireworks week. Love this piece, and I’ll have to try the ale! Enjoy your holiday.
My favourite: “Each crack a noun, each snap a verb, each sizzling hiss an adjective.” What a super beginning! I can feel the words…
Yes, it is 8am here. Yes, I am at work. Yes, that looks darn tasty. Cheers.