Black Fire Doesn't Burn

Come a little closer, You’ve been warned enough. Everybody fears the flame Until they feel its touch. You can call me wicked, You can call me worse. Still you lean into the heat Like begging for the curse. Don’t mistake the dark for danger, Don’t mistake my smile for grace. I could leave you untouched, darling— But you keep asking me to stay. Black Fire doesn’t burn Unless I want it to. It coils around your body, But it never scars you through. So tell me what you’re frightened of While reaching for the flame. Black Fire doesn’t burn, my dear— It makes you yearn for what you fear. I can make you restless Without touching skin. Let anticipation do What patience never did. Every little challenge, Every careless dare, You keep testing where the line is Like you want to find me there. You can swear you’re fearless, I can let you play pretend. But courage sounds so different When you’re asking me again. Black Fire doesn’t burn Unless I want it to. It coils around your body, But it never scars you through. So tell me what you’re frightened of While reaching for the flame. Black Fire doesn’t burn, my dear— It makes you yearn for what you fear. Would you kneel before the fire If the fire asked you to? Would you offer up your secrets Just to see what I would do? Would you trust these hands to hold you When you cannot move away? Would you still call me your princess If I made you beg to stay? Careful. You wanted something darker. You wanted something cruel. But the sweetest kind of power Is knowing I could— And choosing what to do. Black Fire doesn’t burn Unless I want it to. It coils around your body, And now it’s part of you. So tell me you’re not frightened As you reach into the flame. Black Fire doesn’t burn, my dear— It makes you yearn for what you fear. Come closer. Closer still. There you are. No ashes. No scars. Just Black Fire In the dark.