I dance the way fire dances

It all begins as soon as I scrape a match

The flick of my wrist is a cue that the sacred ritual

Is about to commence.

I light a red candle

Not for the sake of tranquility

Or celebration.

Or love

 No,

I am watching the flame dance

And memorizing its perfectly irregular rhythm

Free from style, training, or sense.

I am convinced that

Some of us knew what

Wasn’t enough from the beginning

And were wise enough to know that it’s better to get your own way.

Even it costs you love,

Makes you dangerous.

We are always burning somewhere.

I want more than my body

That hurts me

And loves me

Or those other bumbling figures and their words

That half matter

I can take what I need

And burn the rest down.

People say “you’ve come a long way.”

And I have.

Since I could surely be dead

Or simply “happy to be here”

But I know better

Every time I watch the wick.