On the Hearthrug

"Little tongue of red-brown flame,
Whither go you? " — " Whence I came;
Sending on a courier spark
To explore the chimney dark.

"Once I was a sunbeam fair,
Darting through the awakened air.
Quickly to a green leaf gone,
On a forest tree I shone.

"Steely lightning struck the bough,
And I sank into a slough.
Many ages there I lay,
Ere I saw the All-Father, Day.

"Now I sparkle once again,
Flashing light and warmth to men,
Ere, like all things that are bright,
I rejoin the All-Mother, Night."