The Firefighter

The Firefighter

The sparks of neglect

of boundaries crossed

first catch onto the lurking dry foliage

of old wounds and suppressed fears

strengthening, spreading, speeding

the flame finds the winds of rage, more fear

like wildfire

tree by tree, branch by branch, leaf by leaf

the forest of happiness burnt black

the ash of blame have rained everywhere— on you, them, me

I am the burnt

I am the burning

I am also the blaze

but I am also the firefighter

holding the hose of hope

pouring kindness and love on everything

the foliage, the flames, the forest, the fire

the fears, the fury, the patterns, the pain

and with much patience and even more practice

the wildflower of joy blooms slowly but surely

accepting, forgiving, birthing, regenerating

the pitch black of the forest with its bright purple

I am the fire

I am the firefighter

I am also fireweed

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Written while grappling with the complex systemic paradoxes that are embedded in being human at this time in the world, while personally also grappling with pain from heartbreak and building self-love.