I had a lighter given to me,
A face engraved on its metal case.
And its inner heat
And flame hidden
Terrify me.

It whispers to me,
To that blistered skin in my lungs
Where I breathed too deeply of the flame
And the burning hearts about me.
I crack it open.

Its metal is bright
And the wick stands tall
Upright and seeking my breath.
I hold it fast and hard
And it whispers.

'Where is she now?'

I close it up
And hide it away
Because sometimes
Hidden flames
Should be just that.