she was
an old flame
by that i mean
seeing her tasted
of ashes
on my tongue
as i sidestepped
the charred circle
of stone
on the floor
between myself
and freedom

she was
an old flame now
just the blackened bits
of someone
i used to know
coal to stoke
another fire
indistinct
like childhood memories
or thoughts from dreams
as your eyes
adjust to the light

she was
an old flame
barely recognizable
except for the odd itch
on the scars
that still
shown faintly
when skin gets
flushed
just a feelingless patch
like the currentless parts
of the pacific