I thought the fire had long ago died out.
The heat of its flames left only in memory
and it’s ashes carried off by the winds of time
that passed between us.
I never dared believe I might find a still living spark
where once the roaring flame had been.
The world had changed over the years
and the hearth had grown so cold
that surely nothing could have remained.
But last night that spark revealed itself
and, to my amazement, found the timber still to be dry
and receptive to its touch.
How quickly the old fire roared back to life!
Did you expect it to burn so hot once again?
You said you did not but deep down,
was there not a part of you that sensed it could be reborn?
Part of me did, yet I never would have admitted it.
Your life had moved on and for so long
there was no place in it for my own selfish desires.
Secretly though, even in your pain as your life unwound,
I hoped that somehow I could be your rock.
My thoughts drifted against my will
and my body responded to those forbidden thoughts
just as it had so long ago.
Still, I dared not believe it possible.
Not until I saw the spark come alive in your eyes.
So then, together, we stoked the fire
and lay naked in its heat.
I cannot hope to express in mere words
how it felt to once again feel your mouth upon my body
or the rapture I felt at your strength as you took me.
Your touch was hot and urgent
and while I want to believe your passion was for me
I know well that it was a thing of the moment.
You needed to find release from your pain
and that is something I can accept, even if regretfully.
So what is to come?
Does the fire continue to burn?
You did not answer but you’re silence was clear.
Your life and it’s problems leaves no place for me within it.
There would be complications
that cannot be risked and I can accept this.
But part of me will always keep the spark safe,
for now I know that the one day
the flames may again be allowed
to consume me in their passionate need.
It is a day I am willing to wait for.
I have no other choice.
