the fire

once upon a time
there was a spark
it created a small child
who would grow into flames
and swallow the world around her
many would mistake it for passion
her eyes lit up
and it ignited the souls of others
but that’s how the fire starts
when you smell the smoke,
it’s usually too late.

so tell me now,
are all fires the same?
or do they change like fate
dependent on what they catch on
with each shape that they take
her fire looked like her father’s
it clung to people they loved most
melted flesh like butter
the most delicious roast
and when it was too late,
the damage had been done,
they wondered how to fix it
how to truly love someone.

there are two choices —
wash the fire away
with therapy and pills
or let it burn brightly
warming the hands of others
until the sparks catch to their shirts.