you are not on fire

you are not in some ring of hell
you are not in a witch's oven
though the heat flushes your skin
your molecules move
at the same speed as mine
your breath is not smoke
your gaze does not set fire to the woods
though your effect on me
may be more difficult to explain
sit here by the window
loosen your clothing
let the heat run up my arms
I can take the flame
let your pulse match beats with mine
I can shadow down the night
if that is what you want
I can pour a breeze into
the hollow of your hand
pull the earth back from the sun
if that is what you need
I will warm but I will not burn
let me cool you with my
frozen life

Michael McNeilley


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