Embers in Transition

My nature has always been as bright embers…

clumped,  low and smoldering

always smoldering within me.

Never roaring, never a  conflagration

never wanting to burn bright,

to consume and conquer.

A fearful ball of flame, apprehensive

of overreaching its borders,

Self constrained and wrapped tight.

Hidden and held down.

I’m burning up.

layer by slow layer from the inside.

I need to let it trickle out

and let the air in.

Feed it,

give it what it wants….

So it can truly burn like

it has always wished

it could

From without.


by Philip Wardlow