Her temper
flares like fire
singeing tulip bulbs;

sudden
frightening,
intense,
and all
consuming.

I embraced
her
and it;

drew it near
and she
felt my arms
around her
containing;

holding;
she beat against
my strength
feeling it
taking the fire itself
quenching
and limp
she lunged
once more
to be reassured
that
she and it
could be contained.

And I wrapped
her
in my arm cocoon
and drew her close

til
I felt her body relax.

No motion now;

still against
the room's landscape.

lover
and lover
embraced.
Fire still
burning
but now a light.

Lonnie Hicks

http://www.poemhunter.com/poem/temper-and-fire/