Firebreak

             If this world has made it easy for you 
To imagine the sear of a flame’s flawless mouth

            As holy (it only takes one big love

Holding fear’s god-like heat against your life), 
            I’m here to say that you can choose

To hear yourself returning

            From the enduring pain of that light, 
Back from trusting a flame might transform

            Its mythic reach into a grasp

Gone soft with memory. You can undo 
            Making a flame lord over anything

Other than the blue-green beginning of grief.

            You can even stop your loud heart 
From hoping a flame will finally lower the blade

            Inside its tongue or cease the ancient crux

Of smoke. You can forgive yourself 
            For worshipping a flame’s constant sigh,

Picturing song that isn’t prelude to more

            Ruin, for adding your childhood dreams 
To the cold clarity of a flame’s demand.

            I’m telling you: you can come back now—

Faith freed from any splendor still swearing 
            To burn the brightness from your name.