Don’t, she cries and yanks on my arm
I laugh, and pull back toward the flame.
Playfully tugging back and forth
She relents, I am satisfied
As fire spreads over the pages
The shameful text ignites so bright
Illuminates my manic grin
And I dance, pack on my shoulder
The brilliant torch hiding my sin
Releasing guilt for my mistake
Laughter echoes and my mask shines
Hiding disgust at my failure
Upon the ground without a sound
Pavement becomes my new altar
By morning no trace will be found
And yet she watches my release
And stops to see the same beauty
As I free myself from my past
And move on clean for my duty
She sees why I burn it, at last.
