Rise
Heat rises. Embers and fires, they begin in the darkest places among soot and dirt, and they work and breathe, snake and seethe as they reach the sky. To lick…
Blame the Sun
Bobby Joe was a good man. He beat his wife and raped his daughter, but he was a “good man.” Always paid his rent on time and smiled at you when he picked up…
I Burn
I am red I am yellow I am orange I am blue My life can be short, or last forever My purpose can be benign or maleficent My desire can be help or harm My thirst…
The Gods Are Restless
There was once many worlds. One world decided it wanted to be One. First, they built Elemental Machines, then they buried the universe’s Four Natural Gods on…
What We Are
Our human capacity for violence is, sadly, limitless. It requires neither access to a particular modality nor seasonal fluctuation. It favors no race, culture…
Time served
Dearest betrayer, I tire of spinning this thread, one sighed, white robe sliding up a pale arm as nimble fingers traced the line of his cheekbone. _And I the…
Fire Rain
The fire rained so hard it hurt everyone’s eyes. Everyone could not stop crying for days. Wow. It amazed me.
Trial By Fire
Belle gazed into the fire, focusing on the ring that lay within its burning embrace. This close the heat was overpowering which made concentrating difficult…
(Day 37) Just the Right Angle
There might be a way to fix this. Too many people say we’ve gone too far and ignored too many limits to turn around and set us all on the right path. But as I…
In The Cold, Cold Night
The wind surges from the North sending chills across my body. You invite me to the fireside, blanket and cocoa in hand, welcoming and warm eyes staring back to…
Remains
“Do you think there will be any remains?” The 18-year-old boy sucked in a shaky breath, “No.” “There have to be some pieces left!” The youngest of the three…
One Of Those Things Your Parents Told You To Never Do
I turned the burner on high, letting the quick stench of gas fill my nose before the flames licked the metal above it. I waited. Slowly, I lifted my hand and…
Guilt
The fiery flame that jumps and spits Leaves bone-white ashes in its wake Passion wild that sears unfettered Leaves the heart to cringe and shake And while it…
Morals
The angry heat of fire Seeped right to the heart Of the house It’s angles sagging, Groaning under invisible Burdens And with a sigh the roof Buckles A crack…
Fault [4]
All my fault. And tonight laying in my bed Not knowing who does Nightmares and crippling fears confined, Bottled in a stony, icy cave Life goes on, plunging…
Fault [3]
His touch slips I cling With neither fingers nor limbs But the heart grips Silent scream And bile alike rise up In the throat a scorching Which tears cannot…
Fault [2]
But I stumbled and looking down Saw not rocks but my feet upon which I tripped I cut them off leaving Putrid rotting stumps with toenails Black as charred…
Fault [1]
For God so loved the world He gave His only Son, That whosoever believes in Him should not perish But have eternal life. And I believed in Him. Crimson guilt…
Flashing Before Your Eyes
My first time. My last time. My cold beer in my hand, numbing my fingers. The cigarette perched in the corner of my mouth. The door to my trailer swinging on…
The Storm Before The Calm
Already I felt the torrid chinook begin to singe my hair, to excoriate my skin. A rumble began to resonate deep in my chest. A flaming heap of metal fell from…