Eternal Flame

The flame danced around me,

A relentless swirl of amber and gold.

It kissed my skin with warmth and memory,

But against your touch felt cold.

It twirled to its own rhythm,

And maybe the night has worn me out,

But I saw you dancing alongside it,

Oblivious to pain, to fear, to doubt.

Skittering around the flame—sometimes in it, sometimes not.

The playfulness, I say, will never leave you.

The swirling has you too enraptured to reply.

Perhaps you’re just awaiting something great tonight.

The sane would flee at flame’s approach,

But I feel no fear.

My cheeks blush pink as you kneel with flowers,

Their tips burning as you held them so dear.

My heart melts, not from the fire, but from the sweet-smelling gift.

And I see – they are the very ones I chose to lift,

For your grave, a chilling sight,

Yet, in their bloom, I feel delight.

So tell me, darling,

How does it matter,

If another body sleeps,

Just some six feet under?

For better or for worse,

Words we never said but always meant,

As if you read my mind, the flame lifts me up,

And pulls me from thought and lament.

I did feel the pain, my dear,

But what’s a little hurt,

When eternity with you

Feels oh so near.

What is there to be scared of when I have nothing to lose?

The only thing I had left to lose was you,

And now I have lost that too.

Before my eyes betray me once and for all,

I see the flowers blow away one by one,

Like everything I lost.

As my eyes close the last time, I look back at you

And realize, I never really lost you at all.

                                                                  - Ria Modi <3