The flame..

"To the Victor belong the spoils!"
For how long?

Once before 
ideas, futures, visions had birthed
Melded, melting chains,
Boundaries,
Celebrating the dawn
Of a Freedom
Embracing all....

Buffeted by tornadoes
Of hate, violence and destruction
Shorn, de-robed,
Naked and alone,
Its visionaries lost to time,
The old flame flutters now,
Flickering and dim.

And yet
Within
Its ephemeral armor
Of understanding, acceptance,
Absorbing all
It has survived ages, eons,.
Indestructible.
Its essence inviolate.

Its glow, the seed
Lies dormant,
Buried deep within us all.
Waiting.