what is your name?

sitting in a petal,
with her hair being braided; 
her dark skin, 
her blue eyes, 
shining with so much hope -
so much worthless hope.

she grew up so quickly,
a young woman already; 
waiting for the day of the prom.

her hair in curls,
a beautiful white dress,
a black sash, with a red pendant:
she was so lovely.

he waited for her;
his light hair falling over his face.
the perfect date.

the waltz began,
they slowly started to dance.
she stared into his eyes,
the reflection was of flames.

1... 2... 3...
i mustn't mess up,
though he steps on my toes...
1... 2... 3... 
i mustn't mess up...

her palms began to burn...
sweat dripped from her brow.
the image of her date
switching between human and fire.

no, too hot! too hot!
ouch, he's hurting me!
it burns..

the last she saw of him
before she ran from the room:
flame, flame,
he was fire.  fire!

he wept for a moment,
then was greeted by another - 
someone else to dance with...

she ran out the doors,
she ran down the street.
she ran, she ran...
it was still too hot!
she was still running...

-------------------------------

it was a beautiful house:
what i always wanted to build.
she helped me build it.
it was what she wanted to do with her life:
build.

now both of our dreams
are fulfilled.

+ what is your name? +
i asked when she was about to leave.
she did not reply.
+ alyse? +
she shook her head.
+ lara? +
she shook her head once again.
+ sarah? +
once more, her head shook.

she left before i
could guess any more.
i walked through my new home,
in a beautiful gown.

the house, it was what i
had always wanted.
i was joyous:
with parties, and guests.

but they left,
and i was alone.
through the hall i walked,
my hand against the wall.

a shadow on the wall caught my eye -
it should've been mine.

but it wasn't.

a tall man, strength in abundance.
i stared in fear, as it walked
along side me.
then it was a dog, then a man,
and it just kept switching.

i feared it.
i ran from it: it followed.
i could not escape my own shadow.
maybe...

i took an axe,
struck it against the shadow
on the wall
again and again.

and again.
my home was now in splinters,
but the shadow still remained.
fire... fire brings light.
no more shadow.

so, i sat on the hill,
my new house now ablaze.
there was no shadow.

but she was there.
or was it just i still?
or the both of us, in the same spot?
the is light, but also
the darkness.

+ what is your name? +

-------------------------------------------------

a shadow lurks behind her,
with gray patches,
white teeth, and outlined claws.

does it want to attack her 
or me?
us.  at the same time,
in the same spot.

+ where did that burn
on your cheek come from? +
she looks sullen.
+ ... should it really be
discussed here? +

in the kitchen,
there were pots and pans,
lain in the sink.
a round table was
in the middle.
a well-built man
sat there,
alone, surrounded by smoke
and the smell of booze.

+ COME HERE, GIRL, +
he commanded.
she walked up to him, 
shaking as she stood there
before him.

+ YOU HAVEN'T BEEN
DOIN' YOUR JOB RIGHT,
YOU STUPID BITCH. +
she lowered her head in shame.
a few seconds later,
a burning sensation was upon her cheek.
the cigar between his lips,
was taken to mark her face.

i will not cry.
and she didn't.
not in front of him, anyways.
in her room, to herself,
she wept.

¯ You are my sunshine.. ¯
another burn upon her fragile frame.
¯..My only sunshine.. ¯
more were soon added to the collection.
¯..You make me happy when skies are gray..¯
they thought she did it to herself.
¯..You'll never know, dear.. ¯
in order to put out the cigarettes 
they thought she used.
¯..How much I love you.. ¯
he tried to molest her.
¯..Please, don't take my sunshine away. ¯
but she ran from him;
him and his drinks, his cigarettes,
his hands.
his fire.

his fire.

i mustn't mess up.
too hot! too hot!
fire.. like from him..
i hate the flame.
i hate the fire.

she pushed him aside,
the image of a fire figure
still in her head.
she ran from him,
from everyone,
from the fire.

he was not lonely very long;
another flame came and danced
with him.

---------------------------------------------------

the scar on her cheek,
is the scar on mine.
the shadow that looms,
is looming over both of us.
these are our scars.
go away, shadows.
take your scars and pain
as you leave.
i want to be alone 
with my friend.

+  what is your name? +

---------------------------

+ hello, little girl.
sit down here, in front of me.
i'll braid your hair. +

like fine silk was her hair,
so easy to brush and play with.

+ so, little girl from the rose petal,
why do you like the light so?
do you fear your own shadow?
i fear mine.
it has gray spots, fangs, and outlined claws.
yours does, too?
tell me you life.
paint me a picture of it.
what song is it that you sing? +

¯You are my sunshine,
My only sunshine -
You make me happy when skies are gray.
You'll never know, dear,
How much I love you.
Please, don't take my sunshine away. ¯

+ it's only a little fire.
what're you to fear? +

+ what is your name? +

-- mindie bolce