Fighting Flames

I ran back  
into that burning house  
to try and salvage the things I loved.
 
I chose morsels of nurturance  
and compassion  
over escaping engulfment  
 
To survive meant to stay and fight flames
or be left alone to fend for yourself
with no warmth at all.
 
In school we were taught  
we must put on our own oxygen mask first
before assisting others.
 
Yet since I was a child
I have never known anything different;
 I learnt that you must be willing
to burn alive
in order to bear witness to a smile.