For Soulvity writing contest hosted by MerakiWriters

Prompt 2: Write a love poem without using the word "love"

~~~

How is devotion measured—

In the catch-fire of pyrolysis?

Is it the spark?

Not a bloom nor a blindness

nor a gentle ash smothered by leaves

and wind

Is it the lick of a flame—

grown to the point of asphyxiation

"Your breath catches in your throat."

Is said.

does that not hurt?

an ignition lasts no longer than needed

before it can be strangled,

doused

"before you get burned."

but what is the point of choking on smoke

only to never feel the warmth of a blaze?

~~~

A/N: The gist of this poem is to highlight that devotion is measured through commitment and a willingness to push through difficult times in a relationship together, when a flame chokes, no one wins.

Pyrolysis is a decomposition brought about by high temperatures.

This was written at almost 1 am while I listened to two raccoons fight outside.