By the Fire

The leaves danced in the pale autumn sun

Light flickering across reds and golds

And trickling down between, to wake me from a dream

One where I was falling, one where I was calling

Out to one who never saw me

The trees bent over and whispered their secrets

To a cool breeze as she passed

And I recited every trauma past, quicker than I could name

Every lover I had outlasted, whose compassion stayed

Til the end of the day, til dusk undressed us both

And exposed us to the cold

The world might fade, so quiet behind us

As those autumn days give way to winter

But I will be the fire, that keeps you close

I will be the pyre, that pulls the chill from your bones

I do not fear the heat in my soul, I know

No path that leads me away from hope

And the world might bay, scream in dismay

That I have found my way

But I hear only a heartbeat, see only the reality

Approaching, encroaching on these golden moments

A truth that commits me to my path, to you

I can change the world, I can stand the burn

For what comes after, for my only lover

And I, is too true to deny

We will walk among this forest, someday

And you will see the leaves, feel the breeze

But not shiver, instead cast your doubts to the fire

That burns ever brighter, climbs ever skyward

And you will know all that I've shone

Has kindled the passion from within your soul

Has taken all that kept you alone

And seared together those broken bones

That all that makes you might make you whole.