Fingertips traced on your skin with words the tongue feared speaking
I thought if I said them
You would tell me not to worry
And do that thing where your thoughts freeze for the night
So I kept them inside
And ate them like a midnight snack
The taste of metal and ash left on my palette with the tiniest pinch of salt
I waited for it to burn me from the inside
To rise from my depths like a Phoenix
But I’m still waiting
Perhaps when I stop tracing your skin and find my words
I’ll breathe fire
And burn us both to life