Cinder

we fan

one tiny ember

from all that remains

of love's unbridled fire

to stir to flame

the cinder of dying desire

˚ˋঌ˖

now

an acrid aroma

from still fanning flames

blistered with contempt

from all that effort spent

˚ˋঌ˖

breath after breath

to fuel the flame that faltered

but such toil and tears prove too much

for how fragile

is this ember of touch

˚ˋঌ˖

eyes that no longer see

but follow the flame of another

smolder

the way an acolyte snuffs the candle

love's worship is over

˚ˋঌ˖

only plumes of smoke

are all that remain of the flame remembered

as unwed hands

let the cinder fade forever

˚ˋঌ˖

but we are born

to the ring of fire

circling

from the womb

driven by obsession

˚ˋঌ˖

from ember

to flame

to cinder

there will be another

and another

˚ˋঌ˖

it may take many fires

to find

the flame that burns hot

eternal

if such a flame burns at all

beyond fairytale myths

˚ˋঌ˖

one love

one lover

one kiss to wake the fire

that lasts forever

˚ˋঌ˖

but if you have found

yours at first kiss

then count yourself

among the blessed