Elemental Love - Fire

The word "Love" is overused.

But what else can describe the overwhelming fire

Devouring me and subduing my spirit?

Is it, after all, mere shallow passion?

Deep obsession?

Or did "I Love You" actually mean something once?

I didn't see the spark when we met;

It soon caught my heart on fire, though...

My negligence has destroyed me.

This fiery love burns away all my excess feeling;

Blackening and destroying the life I had,

Leaving naught but the evidence of passion's extreme heat.

Your heart, hard like steel, pressed close to mine in the flame.

I still feel the searing of the hot iron into my flesh,

Branding me forever as yours alone.

Yet I would not tear away from the pain:

For all that awaits me is the cold, empty place

I lived before your fire.

The heat of a once-returned love,

No matter how barren it leaves the soul when it is gone,

Is far more precious to me than the cold beauty

Of an unrealized ideal, no matter how perfect.

So touch me again, the one who you destroyed.

Sear me and ravage my very soul,

Then leave me if you must; but leave me my memories:

The charred ground...cold ash on a cold wind;

Evidence of a love that, once, burned like flame.