Smolder

The anger you formed in me

could ignite a thousand fires

and yet I smother it

down to a glowing ember.

I refuse to hurt another

in the name of pain

just like you.

I turn my pain into art,

plant a garden around the fire pit

and create life

in a place you left a dessert

like the dry mouth cries I wept

for someone to save me.

You left me in quicksand

but I refused to sink.

I found shelter

in the shade of empathic arms

that help me keep the fires at bay

and never more than a smolder.

One day, I’ll suffocate the ember too

and be free, wiser and older.