Bradlee sits across from me -

accusatory stare...

Anger?

Rage?

That fire

In his eyes

cause I'm not there.

But even that dread fire

burns me more than I can say -

That's why I'm only there in thought -

Why I stay away.

The space between our bodies burns

like something more than flame -

Even here I feel it churn...

I feel it blister boil burn...

And if I break I might return -

And then I'd lose,

were this a game.

But games all ended years ago...

Before I met him

[rows behind me] -

The flame is all I'll ever know...

Hell's aching lust has trapped;

consigned me -

And never will I know that kiss...

never feel his flame inside me -

Never know that twilight bliss

when flames burn out

with him beside me...

But I can stay enough away

that love knows not corrosion...

I can keep that love at bay

so not to risk explosion...

I can linger on the wire

'til time comes to an end...

At least with fire,

All won't be dire,

I won't be cold -

I'll be his friend.

- For Brad -