a little excitement

I bought a dollar store match box,
half price because
the box had a tear in the side.
It had lost a few matches and I did
about anything to save a dollar.
I knew the first time I pulled a match out of
creased cardboard that
I had bought an extra burn.

The first stick, she was humble
the Red of her face tickled against the grain of
such a flimsy box.
I used her to light a candle,
but I know if I let the flame flicker,
she will take down my house.

That’s what happens when you
get what you asked for at night
when you are on your knees praying
for a little excitement and
just a spark enough to engulf you
and she comes to you
blending, in and bent
but better at burning
than any of the lovers
in your bed

the ash at the end of the story,
wall space and door frames
photographs and memories,
none of them of you

Originally published in the 2017 FACETS at the Butler County Community College.