Burn

You close in like darkness around candlelight.

You suck up my oxygen until you see me flicker.

Watch me sweat.

But you can't put me out... not yet.

If you tried to put something over me

I would consume it.

I'd make it burn and watch it spread

until I'm everything, everywhere,

against you.

Hasn't stopped you from trying to stomp me out.

Hasn't stopped you from trying to take my breath.

It isn't fair.

You use what I love,

what makes the blaze hottest and brightest to melt me down to just a wick.

I don't just give off light,

I burn and you watch me, wickedly,

from afar.

How can I make it stop?

Oh, but I stand, steady...

eyes closed, concentrating.

I have a job.

I live.

I give light.

Then you come and I stutter.

I take.

Take back memory.

Take back pain.

I re-live what's best left forgotten.

I breathe in what's long gone.

You keep me trapped,

this is your covering.

If you can keep me burning under this, take up the air with it,

I fold in on myself.

I flicker.

gasp

Quiet.

Shadows.

Wind.

Ember.

Slowly

I

grow

again.

I'm

light

again.

Flickering.

Ashamed.

I don't burn as confident

I don't burn as tall

I don't burn much at all

Afraid of the darkness

(that can't consume)

Afraid of the shadows

(that I don't have)

Afraid of the bushel

(that won't win out)

Afraid of the liar

that put me out!?

You.

Illegitimate son. Disowned.

Cast down from heaven

Fallen like lightning

Born of the morning

Frightening.

Defeated singer.

I give you the finger.

You know you lost

But you dare

Come against

The adopted

Children

Of God.

I glare

Against you.

I smile.

I spread.

I capture

I take down

Imagination

Submit it

To God.

Watch me

Watch you

Flee.

Think twice next time

You

try

to

Burn

Me.