In other countries,
they call it baptism,
that moment yielded to burn,
when flesh rises like incense.
Not here.
We want to know why,
but what can be said
of worship
when there is nothing
left to give
but this instant
where flesh marries fire,
when body becomes
a candle casting prayer
against grass, over stones;
the bright shadow
of an immolating monk
leaving his borrowed bone house.
Susan Daniels Poetry 
To an old church history buff this captures it.
Oh, thank you, Ron!
Susan, very powerful. Takes me back to the 60’s in Vietnam.>KB
Thank you, KB. I had to do it, after I heard the story of the man immolating himself on the National Mall yesterday. My mind immediately went to why, but that is such a Western reaction, isn’t it?
I agree with KB–such a powerful write–sad isn’t it!
Thank you, Audrey. This has stuck in my mind so long…
Borrowed bone house… that’s going to stay with me half the night I imagine. Your anger is always genuine, Susan.
Thanks, Trent. I still want to know why the man did it.
Didn’t Arab Spring start with a guy immolating himself in Tunisia? Look what he started… I’m sure that’s not the answer. But it could be a answer?
Yes, it did. Perhaps that is what he was starting here…
Inauspicious beginnings are the beginning of everything, right? I find a lot of hope in thoughts like that.
Great stuff -and extremely clever. I like the way you bring baptism and death together-opposite ends of the spectrum.
Thanks, Jack!
In this case, it is an Asian concept of baptism–the complete abandonment of the flesh to rejoin the cosmos.
“where flesh marries fire” – ooh – so terribly good
Thank you, Paul. Means a TON, coming from you!
Now those are some words that have gotten me thinking. Thank you.
Thank you, Georgia. We know who he was now, but still not why…
oh wow…that is one powerful write susan…. the borrowed bone house…love it
Thank you so much, Claudia!