Tempted Phoenix

In the midst

of a memory,

I jolted awake,

the piano stuttering

apologies,

licking fire off my skin,

we soaked into each other

and thus felt the world

thump out its own language

of lust to breathe

even in the midst

of such a harsh madness.

The mirror

took great pleasure

in melting down,

for a night,

into the sink

to mix with the hot faucet water

that burned

to be tasted.

I must learn

to electrify myself,

resonate vibrance

from within,

unmask the caves

and deep moist marshes

I know are there

and set free

the tempted phoenix.