House Fire

I’m not sure what started the fire

but there’s smoke dancing through the air

and it’s getting harder to breathe

Was it

an accident

or arson,

an act of God

or an ungodly act,

a lightning strike

or the strike of a match?

I’m not sure what started the fire

but the flames are climbing the walls

and my skin is beginning to blister

Was it

an electrical arc

or a snuffed out spark,

a lit cigarette

or a life’s regret,

a candle’s wick,

or a lack of dick?

I’m not sure what started the fire

but the blaze is growing brighter

and my eyes are red and raw

Was it

the supply of tinder

or the supply on Tinder,

a pile of coal

or a mismatched goal,

an ember’s last light

or the last phone fight?

Can you hear me,

screaming through smoke-filled lungs

panicked and gasping for air

calling for your help

from the tiny apartment behind my eyes?

Can you see me,

pounding against hazel windows

begging for you to notice

while engulfed in flames

and slowly burning alive?

I’m not sure what started the fire

but the fire escape is blocked

and I’m trapped inside with nowhere to go

I'm not sure what started the fire

but I know it's too late

and it's time to succumb and surrender

I’m not sure what started the fire,

but it doesn’t really matter, does it

because ashes to ashes

and dust to dust

I’m gone