Punctuation

Strike from a Match

A strike from a match. 

The tell-tale sound and smell. 

A raised abrasion among her freckles left behind as breadcrumbs. 

What harm can come from a match unlit?

after all, it's the fire we fear...not the wood, undisturbed potassium chlorate, and shards of microscopic glass. 

We hold such power between two fingers, harnessing a flame to spread and consume. 

A strike from a match, 

with it, heat erupts from midair, composed of doubts and fear. 

The flame devours its creator until it breathes kisses onto the skin of your thumb and pointer.

You can't strike a match along your petalled skin, my darling...

the thing just simply won't light that way.

Your freckles won't ignite a flame and take the pain away.

A smell and haze of smoke won't filter out the voices. 

And yet I find those trails of red up and down your arms. 

Running like a wildfire. 

And wonder how they got there.