An ancient alliance of fire
Forged of a white-glowing gold,
Twisted and bent tangled wire
A spectacle hallowed and old.

Racing the path from the skies
Down to the broad muddied earth,
Instantly blinding the eyes,
Frightening, glorious mirth.

Gone before it was there
This wondrous fire and light,
Setting fire to the damp air,
Then leaving the world in night.

Announced with a mighty tremble,
Of the air and the ground and the sky,
A deep, dark, mutinous mumble
Awesome the strength of its cry.

A heart-stopping moment of joy
Though all behold it frightening,
To gaze upon this instant
Of wonderful, terrible lightning.