what progress
not a chance that any of this is moving forward
only inward
like a mobius strip
we ignite ourselves
birthed from fire we return to our destination
surviving the rise and fall of nations and empires
i am surface tension
i am existence
you are welcome to inquire
or perspire upon the flaming mantle
or is it just a mere candle dancing its flame to a higher music
what if we were nothing
perhaps then we could undress our flames
and examine the totality of our shame