Sleepwalking Through the Fire

Tip-toe, tip-toe, sleepwalking through the fire

The touch I know well, flame’s sweet caress

“Wake up!” She cries, draped across the pyre

Over my shoulder I see the smoke curl higher

Prying myself from sleep’s deepest recess

Tip-toe, tip-toe, sleepwalking through the fire

The voice now fading from the sputtering crier

Dreams are like kindling, what by day I suppress

“Wake up!” She cries, draped across the pyre

What once was defiance, what once was ire

Now there’s but shame, only an echo at best

Tip-toe, tip-toe, sleepwalking through the fire

“I want to wake up!” But that makes me a liar

The fire would singe me, it’s better to rest

“Wake up!” She cries, draped across the pyre

From a bed of embers, she failed to inspire

I’ll keep walking at night, safe from distress

“Wake up!” She cries, draped across the pyre

Tip-toe, tip-toe, sleepwalking through the fire