Tangled Fire

Calm

Docile

I lick my wounds

Mostly self inflicted,

I bite my tongue

And run my fingers through my tangled hair -

Such an elaborate maze of chaos

Perched on my head as a visual of what's inside it,

A constant procession of thoughts knotting together...

Still

Quiet

I rest my fingers on my freckled skin

As my back slumps down toward the pavement,

I make myself small

And pretend like I'm not doing it -

Such a strange disguise I wear

As I view the world through shields and walls,

Always working to wreck them and burst through...

Radiant

Unafraid

I stretch my bunched up bones

As they thank me with a faint crackle,

I surrender my arms to the wind

And allow my feet to carry me like a feather -

Such a sweet release it is to fly

As crisp air swirls into my lungs,

A generous reminder that I am alive.