The fire was gone

as if it had never burned

at all…

She wore composure

like armor

She gave them sweet smiles and

kind words 

and they were 

comforted

that she only shared 

with them

the parts of her that matched

the face they chose

to see…

But her blood held

memories

of the time she allowed

herself to be seen;

recognized by one who

called something more

from her…

One who called fire

from her,

through her heart,

enflamed her thoughts

and with relentless focus

reached into the ashes 

to grasp the coals

and find the truth released

in a quiet exhale

of smoke.