Damaged by the Fire

Damaged by the fire

 

You’d think by now I’d have learned that the fire will burn me

It’s inviting glow and warm embrace,

Drawing me in again and again.

 

My body’s been scarred and warped for so long.

I keep asking myself why I hurt the fire,

Rather than how the fire hurt me.

 

Even though the fire’s ember burns alone,

I spent so long using water to be the kindling

Foolishly hoping it’d help the fire to grow.

 

I only wanted to protect the fire, I protest.

For all the gifts it bestowed upon me…

 

The fire was my torch, lighting my way on the darkest of nights.

It was my protector against the predators out to bring me harm.

It was my light to read beside while I studied my place in the world.

 

But, I betrayed the fire.

 

Its light had opened up the world around me.

Like something out of Plato’s Cave,

I ran.

Long too burned, long too alone.

 

In my own darkness, I face off with my death.

My inner light flickers dim,

Longing for the fire I lost.

 

Unable to know its thoughts and why it burns,

The fire casts shadows all around me.

Reminding me, the fire has no need for me.

It’ll burn without me, give life to another man.

 

The world tells me, a fire’s easy to start.

Rub some sticks together, get some smoke.

It’ll never be THE fire.

The one that illuminated my life.