On an island far away
A magical phenomenon occurs
Blue volcano
Kawah Ijen by name
Shows flames of different hues
Of that majestic color

Volcanologists and geologists
Do not know why
The sulphuric acid runs in rivers
Of blue fire at night

But the sight
Is ethereal
Illuminating
As if not of this world
Where fire from the earth's core
Is molten, red hot

This terrestrial location
Also has the world's largest
Sulphuric acid lake
And miners that carry large loads
Of the mineral to plants

The rotten egg stench
Overwhelms most
But the eerie, translucence
Is too captivating not to watch
Especially from the safety of home

The mystery of nature
Still bewilders and excites
The yearning towards inherent knowledge
Begs closer narration

Some call it the gate to hell
But how can it be?
When it provides for the people
Living around it

The devil cannot be responsible
For such stark, blusterous beauty
No, these are the elements at work
Showing humanity
Who's really in charge here