Burn

River frost infuses flesh
Pierces coat, scorches lungs
Ice-flashed moonbeams cut through a treacle fog
Iron filings align
Static becomes rhythm
Stoke the fire, stoke the fire

Fuel drawn up from hidden wells
Quickening heart, straightening spine
Intention replaced by primal anticipation
A spark alights
Embers recall past glory
Feed the fire, feed the fire

Wrathful phoenix cleansing the soul
Feed on flesh, feed on mind
Hot licks reflected in a madman's gleam
Breath turns to smoke
Light streams from eye
Burn bright, burn bright


Bradley Rhodes, November 2003