The flames danced high, Unapologetic as a Confucius scholar Before a Taoist ruler Daring the night To send a rally of minions To steal a spotlight They could never orchestrate— A play meant for the cognizant, Not the cold black souls whose allegiance stands with the lunar. As I was, Until recently, I understood everything Or so I thought As the flame slithered Past my spiderwebbed moral glass of defense The warhammer of pride Once firm in hand Slid to the furnaced ground Frantic, I sought solutions. I was no friend to water, Yet my mind returned To the hands I spat at— Those outstretched palms, May just be The last image of tranquility Before the raging sea of orange Catapulted toward me, To claim me, To fling me to the bottom Where mortality is nothing But decoration Left on a moonless night like this Now I understand everything.