The Huntress Mielikki

She crouches in flame-light,
hair a wild mane,
skin glowing ember-red.

The fire bends toward her,
not consuming—
but welcoming.
Air and ash breathe with her,
forest rising in vertical bands
of gold, white, and rust.

She is no supplicant.
She is the keeper.
Protector of beasts,
mother of bears,
the healer whose hands
bind wounds with earth.

Not goddess above,
but spirit within.
Confidence woven in flame,
power born from root and sky.

This is the hero the earth remembers—
the one it still needs.

—Jon.E.B. | Elemental