Drip

There is a flame which dances under my heart

A candle that flickers and fills my chest with smoke

Just far enough that I can feel each bead forming

Before it drips off and is swept away in my veins

The slow collapsing of something so powerful

Smoke blurs the soggy edges of my life source 

Like the gradual melting of a stone

First the sweat appears on the surface 

Then the dimples of weakness begin to show 

Instead of an overwhelming wave of heat

It initiates with a basic discomfort

And escalates to a panicked fever

Then progresses to a constant groan of aching

Each step becomes weaker and with less purpose 

Less hope, less confidence, less love

Because of this simple flame which dances so effortlessly

Beneath the not so thick walls of my heart.