i.
adolescent fascination with fire
secret notes turn to ash in glass bowls
curious, watching the smoke unfurl
hot crackling with the first inhale
lungs fill with defiance.
slowly release seductive plumes
sitting out class in the locker room shower
can of Aqua Net and a lighter
we weren’t bad girls, we were just girls
still wondering which parts of us will burn away,
what will cycle with celestial movements
or bury itself among our tangled roots
palm and flame in a delicate dance
how close, too close? recoil
from the sting, there is the answer
we weren’t bad girls, we were just girls
curious, watching the smoke unfurl
ii.
a spark
drifting in from who knows where
ignites dry foliage
fanned by hot autumn winds
the inferno overtakes the landscape
reaches me unprepared
slight panic
save what’s most important
for god’s sake don’t add fuel to it
my inner teenager wants to watch it burn
feel the heat surround her body
marvel at the power and beauty
lessons learned from conflagrations past
they weren’t bad choices, they were just choices
but the stakes grow higher with the flames
the blaze contained for now,
embers wait to be doused by winter rain
or rekindled by a passing breeze