the burning bush (poem)

i burned for a year, but nobody felt the heat.

Giovanni Antonio Guardi (Italian, 1699–1760)

i burned for a year, 
but nobody felt the heat.
left ashes on everything i touched.
fingerprints to mark my silent burning.
but i am no phoenix;
this is no rebirth.
this is existence. 
 
i burned for a year,
but was never consumed by the flame.
self-immolation of a selfish degree.
this is not a sacrifice;
this is an escape.
this is untouchable.
this is a warning.
 
i burned for a year,
or maybe it was ten.
it's been so long that i've lost count,
but it’s my fault for being pre-destined for burning.
for being a wildfire of a being.
for being so desert of feeling
that all i can do is burn
            and burn
            and burn.

“the burning bush” is featured on Ghost City Press

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