“Aflame” by Jay Salas

Standing alone, body burnt, set aflame. A
wooden bridge sways underneath my feet,
stuck in indecision, all feels the same. I
know I should move, but I feel so beat.
If the bridge breaks, what’s below is unknown.
If it’s water, it could snuff out the blaze. If
there’s nothing, it’d break more than a bone. I
fear it’ll go wrong in different ways.
I should run across, and not be consumed
by thoughts or flames. I know I can’t submit.
Anything’s better than thinking “I’m doomed,”
yet my life is damaged from all of it.
Before the wood breaks, I run for a side
and smile to myself, knowing that I
tried.