Fire Burn

Today was the first outdoor grilling adventure I've had since I moved back to Brooklyn.  My roommate had some fire wood, so we put it in the little charcoal grill we have and lit it up.  5 minutes later, we had a mini bonfire and we both just sat around watching the flames.  There is something mystical in watching fire burn.  The way the flames dance and stagger, the colors of the flames.  It becomes an immediate gateway to meditation.  Watching the flames always seems to bring me into oneness with my surroundings.  There is no time. There is no cold weather. There is no stress, no hurry, no to-do lists.  There is just me and the flames, dancing for my amusement, as if I had some inkling of control over them.  There is definitely a respect there though.  Its like playing with a friendly snake.  There is a chance it might turn on you, but if you take care and respect it, great enjoyment can be had.  Fire: the first "television set".  I guess that is partly why I became a cook.  I get to play with fire.  Sure, I've been burned, but that is just part of the learning process.  How is it something so intangible can hold so much beauty?