Water and Fire

Water are we, you say, and yourselves fire;

so let us be what we are

and co-exist without ire,

and may no conflagration ever find us at war.

But rather, fused together by cunning science

within the cauldrons of the ardent breast,

without rage, without defiance,

do we form steam, fifth element indeed:

progress, life, enlightenment, and speed!