Hooves of Fire's Poetry Journal

Spontaneous Combustion

This is a count down/count up combination poem. The prompt was "spontaneous combustion."

Spontaneous Combustion

Condescending valedictorian,
self-appointed heir to Socrates;
Questions simmered and set to boil,
Lying in wait like a snake;
Slithering through the marsh,
First bites are gentle
nibbles at most;
Disturbing,
burning,
hurt!

Pain!
Searing!
Overwhelmed!
Flames of anger
out of proportion,
considering the source;
Insignificant green worm,
malevolent diseased reptile;
Spontaneous combustion, then,
sudden dawning of realization!
With knowledge, the power to extinguish!