Man On Fire
He took risks you might not have
Thinking that he deserved to beat the odds
Flames like heated fiery thorns
Eat through his flesh numbing as they go
In pain, he swirls, his muscles roil
He wishes, Oh he wishes it would end, be over
His burning enthusiasm is consumed and charred
Blackened by the flames of false expectations
Reducing now into a smoldering heap
After all, he did set himself on fire
Believing the illusions, the lies he told
For power, more power, grasping for it
As the dark smoke fills his lungs
Choking his life's last breath
Scoffing at man's inhumanity to man
Inhaling humankind's immolation
As if were not his fault at all
This man on fire could be you
And so, the soul crinkles up into a ball inside
What's left of you has no place to hide
145 words free verse
Colored Pencil illustration G.Gaul 2024
Copyright © Greg Gaul | Year Posted 2024
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