Slow Burn

I remember a time when my heart was set on fire

And singed anyone who came within my arms,

Smoking, fuming, stinging with every golden coal

But it was the good kind of hurt, the type of pain

A person desperately wishes would flicker forever

Because quenching the flames would mean the end

The inescapable, unavoidable, unsavory cessation

And inevitable conclusion of all I have come to love.

Stop.

Pause, pause, for the love of God, pause!

What must I do to perpetually keep you close to me?

I promise this time I won't edit out any of the details

I swear I won't char the edges of these memories.

I want you to stay, to remain, to lag quietly in my life

Because the flames are swiftly turning to shadows of ash

And the scorching tears won't evaporate away this time.

I remember a dream I had in which we were together again

And when I woke up, my soul ignited with desire:

I want to burn in your eyes of everything.

For all of you.