Francesco

Flame

As evening creeps amongst the willows

and lights fade out in turn,

I rest my head upon my pillow

and watch the candle burn.

 

So hesitant, timid and sweet

It peeks its wobbly head

I notice as our gazes meet:

It’s staring at my head!

 

Is it the gig that you perform

that captivates my soul?

Or could the fire that I yearn

for predispose my fall?

 

But as you consummate your skin

I cannot help but fret

an overwhelming pang akin

to sorrow and regret.

 

On my awakened consciousness

I rest my fearful bouts

of weariness and loneliness

‘til past the darkest clouds.

 

For I see many similes

between your dance and mine

and wonder what my fuel is

that makes my darkness shine.

 

A steady burn? A caring light

that seem so agitating ?

Until a draft begins a fight

your fire scintillating.

 

Resistance is so futile now:

the winds are much too strong,

so you submit with your last bow

and hope to ramble on.

 

What once appeared so agile

amongst the ruthless gusts

has now become a fragile child:

so vulnerable and lost.

 

As sorrow comes again to blame

and this time so much queerer

I know now looking at my flame:

I’m staring in a mirror!