RESTLESS

Impatience and discomfort

steal from the mind gentle visions

The visions that soothe

and satisfy the soul.

This body is in pain,

restless,

restless,

An intense flame within

threatening to consume its source.

The longer suppressed,

the hotter the passion burns.

Why does it plague me?

Will a young bird caged in fear for many years

when loosened know to fly?

The phantom flame will not be denied.

If suppressed I die… to myself and to humanity.

Is it preferred for me to be weak and dying?

Is it they or I who built the cage?

The soul…

midnight black as coal…

on which light fell-

absorbed-

and never returned…

In flame to burn away

spent to nothing dust.

Under pressures and passion flame

let me-

let me become a shining diamond

for which Time to cut the facets…

to then stand amidst the flames-

undiminished-

the flame’s light reflected a thousand-fold

in radiant beauty

-Amanda 1990