Cold Fire

I don’t believe in passion.
Find it. They tell me.

Occasionally, I find myself
In the grips of ecstasy
Yes, this is what I will do
This is what my life is meant for
This is my purpose

Moments of pure emotion
False epiphanies bursting like fireworks
So bright
Only to quickly fade
Replaced by darkness

I fumble in the darkness
I don’t want your advice
I don’t believe in passion.

Don’t give me your gunpowder.
I want twigs.

I’ll build a cold fire
In my heart.
Something that will burn
Even in subzero temperatures
As I slog through the valleys
During life’s winters

After the firework’s burst
You hear the cold fire’s
Slow. Relentless. Crackle.

I don’t believe in passion.
All I see is smoke.
No, let me burn forever.