An Ode to my Flame

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I grew up in front of the Veil
Taught about the mysteries on the other side
How its ghostly presence doesn't leave a trail
And how I'd only go there when I died.

The Veil haunted me, fascinated me, consumed me...
I loathed the confines of my mortal flesh
I wanted to cease to be, I wanted to be free
To explore beyond; in its mysteries to be enmeshed.

Why should I adorn myself in finery?
Why should I learn how to smile?
The world beyond requires neither emotion nor beauty
Pleasure and happy thoughts can wait a while.

So I turned my back to the world at large
Because it is nothing but a well construed mirage
My true world, the one which I was fond
Of lay on the greener side of the Veil, beyond.

And then the few people I knew left me behind
One by one they stepped into the Veil
To never return, and I started to wail
Over the unfairness of it all, in vain I pined
For a way to follow them, I hated my ties
To this plane of existence full of lies.
For months I hovered at the edge, ready to fall headlong
Into a loving embrace free of pain, where I belong.

And then one day I saw a light
Which filled my soul with alien delight
It hurt my eyes and didn't feel right
For a flame that small, it seemed too bright.

So I stepped off the edge, curious to see
What kind of trick it would turn out to be
It was a small flicker of a flame, completely ordinary
But it sure as hell didn't feel like that to me.

The warmth was strange, I sought it out
Every single scrape of a chance I got
After a while, it wasn't blinding anymore
And it healed me in places I didn't know were sore.

Every time I turned back, most reluctantly
I always awaited the next time I could see
The flame in all its bright glory.

And one fine day, I woke up to feel
Warmth inside me, so real I could squeal
Unbelievable though it may be
I was now holding a flame inside of me.

And when I turned my back to the world again
My flaming heart throbbed in protesting pain
The thrall of the Veil felt distant and cold
I couldn't even step up to the threshold.

You innocent flame, I accuse thee
Of stealing the sway the Veil held over me
You burdened me with love and made me less carefree
Of the gift that my life would turn out to be.

Oh you, miraculous burning flame of mine
You've made me appreciate the saccharine
Sweetness of a tie so strong and divine
It can actually be a life line.

Oh sweet loving flame, to you I plea
To never let the light go out in me
I don't wish to be ever free
Of your heavy warmth and reality.

You must bear a staggering responsibility
Of holding me, guiding me, loving me
Since you are the reason I can never return
To seek the cold comfort of the Veil that I yearn.

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