Never Play With Matches



The golden strands
of innocence began
to fray when temptation
wrapped its silver tongue
in words stolen from
the diary passages
of blushing inquiry.

Whispered upon the skin
with devilish insistence
no seemed a thousand
sparks away while yes
burned its now into
fluttering resistance.

She was once told
to never play with matches,
but no one ever explained
what to do when another
hand holds the torch.

  
©Susie Clevenger 2012



Fireblossom over at Real Toads gave us a list of words
to create our poems from. It seems I felt the heat
of inspiration. :)  Get Listed

Comments

Scarlet said…
I like the heated inspiration ~ I say Never play with matches until you learn to throw it away before you burn your fingers ~
Kerry O'Connor said…
Ha! I love where these words took you, and followed your train of thought all the way down to the last killer lines.
Ella said…
Oooh, this was really good!
I love the ending and how you danced with the flames! :D
Marian said…
whoosh! there is gonna be a world of hurt here, i think.
hedgewitch said…
Lovely, Susie. Perfect metaphor, too.
Helen said…
... really enjoyed this! Each stanza stands on its own, which is cool!
Hannah said…
This holds the heat and strings one along right through to the last closing words, Susie...I love the idea of flame...the torch in the end...awesome use of the words!!
Sherry Blue Sky said…
Oh, wow, I love the twist this takes at the end - what to do when another holds the torch. A zinger.
Herotomost said…
Holllaaaaahhh! Whew. Yes is so much easier to say...and there never is "only burned at the edges" really...it is all consuming in a way that will always lend to the yes, because if not...in strolls regret. Nice work Susie.
Kay L. Davies said…
Fabulous, Susie. Yes, we're told not to play with matches but never what to do with another's torch.
K
Anonymous said…
Ha! Very clever close here especially. A wonderful coming of age type poem. Thanks, Susie. k.
Mary said…
That last stanza is really excellent....and yes, sometimes personal learnings are not transferred when it comes to another!
ooooh! this is hot! LOVE it, Susie!

happy happy new year.