This came from my PoWriMo thread, so don't fret if you've seen it before. ^_^



___





Where flames met the earth, you put your hands to the ground

and watched the flesh bubble and tear. I saw you next

when your hands were wrapped in salve and white, and I brought you

candles in jars to illuminate your fever-dreams.



I spread paint on your fingers and guided your scorched bones across paper,

to show you that blackened things still hold the privilege of color.

Jagged salt spikes ran down your face in rows and I swore something

unto the blaze that you would someday hear—



there isn’t a thing I wouldn’t do for you, darling, but keep you alive.