the cooling

opulence on every side
the diamonds that light
my way appear
increasingly lackluster

hurt drives wanting
wanting proves to be
its own engine
fulfillment
does itself in,
a burning that consumes
itself but never
can be extinguished

I contemplate
a way out
"Extend your hand,"
my grandmother
always used to say
I never did understand

I take wing
land on your branch
blow out
your conflagration

my own immolation
becomes all the more
clear to me

branch by branch
flame by flame
afire and desperate
we must
cool each other