Best Poems Written by Carmel Mccarthy

Before the Burn

Quietly quiescent
unable to see 
your own flamboyant flammability 
the arcane knowledge 
of a spark's quintessence 
lost for too long 
too late 
the tender tactile flames
candles of ambivalent amber
that lick at burning skin
are casting luscious light 
calling it love 
when it catches you 
when you are set aflame 
then with bittersweet hindsight you know whether 
you will be the one that's reduced to ashes 
in assured self immolation 
or the one to dance in the embers? 
will you pray for an intercessor 
or become the blaze?

Copyright © Carmel Mccarthy | Year Posted 2016