I've been burned many times in my life
From a stove, a fire,
A lighter or a match,
A candle or its wax
Even just from food—
A drink taken too soon
Scalded my tongue—
Now nothing tastes the same.
My feelings, too,
Laid bare like a muscle,
Pulled from within,
Blazed,
With a flame,
That burned what couldn't last.
And the only way to teach
That fire is hot
Is to let someone
Touch it,
Because will
Can’t be stopped.
,
"I told you it was hot,
But you had to see for yourself,
Now you have that ugly mark"
You reached for the comfort—
But it shattered like delph.
Now cold water
Is all that listens.
But no water calms the ache
Rising from the burn,
Already blooming-
On your hand.
Because wonder outweighed warning—
You had to know the flame.