Flame - Part 1. Written by Asaf Zakay
We have decided to share a series of writing by Asaf Zakay after his serious burn injury.
15th February 2023:
Not the news you think you might get from me, but as I share my Art with you, I also share my heart with you, no separation between the two.
There was an old pile of timber that has been sitting outside my shed for a long time now and kept my mind active – I know it is a dangerous thing, with having two of the world’s most venomous snakes living on our land.
While I worked in my studio I felt today is the day this pile needs to get burned, so I waited till the drops of rain started and got the petrol out, after pouring a little petrol on to get it started, I took a step back and threw a match on it.
I saw the fire getting started and the next thing the flames are going under my legs and before I knew it, I was engulfed in flames.
In the first couple of seconds it felt like “this is not real” or even “hard to believe it’s happening” and then, just like a tiny spark in a whole universe of fire who does all it wants with me, I’ve started finding my way out of the fire, found my phone in my studio and called my neighbour.
All I said was “I’m completely burned by a fire and I’m jumping in the pool”, my mind and body could only think about getting to cold water and after few minutes and few calls between me and my neighbours, while I’m in the pool, they arrived.
I believe I was 10 minutes in the pool and then moved myself into a cold shower to prevent my body from keeping on burning from inside.
It took 45 minutes all together till the ambulance arrived and took me to the local hospital in Lismore, I was told they would put me to sleep for 24/48 hours and fly me to Brisbane. I quickly did a few messages and had friends already beside me helping to care for things I needed.
For some reason I ended staying in Lismore overnight and was taken to Brisbane hospital the day after.
I was told from day one I will need surgery on my hand and two legs, I was in a whole new reality since from the first second I was burned, but for not one split second could I fight it, I realised from the first second it is part of my life and in the perfect timing for me on all levels.
In my time here in the hospital, I am grateful for my breakfast and everything that is happening around me on any level, I drink my drink and eat my food, feeling blessed and that feeling moves through my whole body.
I was told since day one here in Brisbane that I will need surgery. I’ve been waiting for a date in the last couple weeks and now instead of talking about my surgery date, the doctors are talking to me about my going home dates, my face has cleared in few days, my left arm joined only a couple days after, my right arm was on the surgery list and somehow got cleared from surgery.
I’ve done lots of work on all levels daily and got the biggest surprise when the doctors said that my legs wont need surgery and are looking at dates to send me home.
I know it was my flame and I know we had to meet and face each other to allow me to face myself and look at my old pile of timber which represents an old pile of thoughts that had to get burned.
I felt it from the first second I got myself out of the fire, something is gone and I told my friend I hope and trust whatever had to get burned is burned now and whatever was meant to get ready is ready now.
I feel blessed and I’m in full health on all aspects and grateful for the amazing experience I got to experience.
Looking forward to getting back to my studio and to keep creating, I know something had to stop and allow something new to join and something old to go.
One thing for sure, my heart is warmer and my smile is bigger.
Life is incredible when we recognise it all, a magnificent gift in every experience and it is always the same gift, us, we are the gift.
I’m truly happy to share my gift with you and sending warm love and care for us all.
Always yours
Asaf Zakay ❤️