Phoenix

Photo by arman khadangan on Unsplash

I burn...
In my hands 
On my stomach 
Down my throat
Around my neck

I feel the damage
In the swelling welts 
In the seams of my skin
In the nerves of blind energy
In the radiating blisters
Of my darkest reality

My ache will not go away
My thoughts are never mine

I seethe with my own anger
And drink in my sadness
I wear the blotches apparent
To the honesty
Of how I am undone

I sever my reactions
To the real pain
I play pretend 
That I might heal properly 
Under truth 
Under safety
In arms that will always hold me
And never abuse me

I consume the flame
To be born from ashes
With a freedom to fly
And forgive
And burn no more