it starts off like a mere tingle, a single flash of light in the dark,
a spark amongst the web of dry pulsing branches
then before you know it, there's a forest fire threatening to burn down all your resolve, choking your lungs with acrid smoke,
smearing the whites of your eyes with soot
with every breath, the fire burns ever greater, ever greater consuming every last bit of thought,
every last bit of reason
and finally, it consumes you, leaving only charred ribs
and a cackling in the background
now, do you understand why I'm afraid of fire