The Discovery of Fire
By Olivia Sheftall
the darkness was
deep,
broken only by pale faces.
frost bit at bones
and bloomed in hearts.
the wild whispered
of a pillar of light,
appearing in flashes,
and left
something so warm
and bright
it cut through the night.
this creature trembled,
flicked, crackled
and consumed.
the birds called it Destruction.
the fish called it The End.
the flowers called it Untamable.
The men called it Fire.
"he liked the way it danced / and licked at the air. / it reminded him of what it meant to / thrive."
he picked it up
and cradled it,
like Mother Mary in the moon,
and held it close
for all of time.
he liked the way it danced
and licked at the air.
it reminded him of what it meant to
thrive.
About the Author...
Olivia Sheftall is a sophomore at Douglas Anderson School of the Arts. She’s been a passionate writer of all genres but has a personal preference for screenwriting. Sheftall has been in numerous spoken word performances, including LaVilla Showcase 2022 and 2023, Coffee House 2023, the Climate Crisis Poetry Contest at Jacksonville University, and many more. Her work had been published in Élan Fall Edition 2024.
About the Artist...
Ariana Formica is a visual arts sophomore at New World School of the Arts. They like mixed media, specifically in collage and textiles. She hopes to pursue a career in art therapy with a side practice of jewelry, fiber, and sculptural work. She has won a Silver Key in the 2024 Art Scholastics, and Florida State Winner for the 2024 Doodle for Google.