Ursula Rucker 1 Million Ways To Burn
I look upon you
with eyes burnt from tears
sear the meat of my heart with
memories
of your hot/cold words
your dry ice words
sticking
stinging
singing
with vision blurred
I watch
our love go up in a frigid smoke
guess I got to close
I inhaled
I choked
slow burn, slow burn
slow burn, slow burn
slow burn, slow burn
slow burn, slow burn
Etched you name on my walls
with the fire in your touch
Our ardor once warmed like summer
soldered bodies
we swam
in simmering sweat
I
melting metal
softening
glowing fiery orange like the sun
bending
You
blacksmith
branding
At strangest times
I feel the heat of the iron
still
slow burn, slow burn
slow burn, slow burn
slow burn, slow burn
slow burn, slow burn
Like smoldering coals now
weaker
but able to burn
still
3rd degree
1st degree
This hurt turns angry
scalds
like freshly boiled tea water
spilled upon flesh
making skin bubble
then blister
later to heal
scarring
still
Etch my name on your wall with a caustic tongue
hope at strangest times you feel the heat
still
slow burn, slow burn
slow burn, slow burn
slow burn, slow burn
slow burn, slow burn
Shall we leave our love at the stake
within a fence of flames
sacrificed on an altar of discontent
sacrificed for no greater purpose
on an altar of self
for the purpose of self
Will the rains come
to douse or drown
Will we rebuild from the ember and ash
Or will nothing ever grow here
on this burnt earth
that was
us
slow burn, slow burn
slow burn, slow burn
slow burn, slow burn
slow burn, slow burn
Burn
from passion
or displeasure
Burn
slow burn
One million ways to burn
choose one
One million ways to burn
choose one
choose one
choose one
choose one
choose one
