Is the fire escape of love
still open
does it go both up and down
will it rescue you from the flames
of possession
promising only exit
never refuge from the heat
is the iron railing molten
as you step out on the landing
is the air too hot to breathe
as you take that one look back
is the smoke
a cloud that follows
your feet melting into sorrow
is that voice you’re hearing through the blaze
—the love you’re running to or from

(Dreamsleep: March, 2020)