Embers

 Love within reach,

yet I choose

not

to touch,

as I know

the icy burn

of that

fire.

It blisters

and

cracks

o  p  e  n

the heart,

leaving only

a

s

h

e

s
.

 Oh happier day,

when warm were those embers,

but sweet and gentle

the

touch.

How I long

 to return

to

that

embrace.