my love steaming from the hot coals

 

If I had any rivals
in my life
it would be the unloving.

The quick heart hardened.

The slow to do better
humble in their talking.

If I had any reason
to not be here
another single day

it would be the suffers
to tolerate the unloving--

their constant back talking,
the criticism to be
somebody.

To the ones that mask their ego,
that speak falsely onto strangers
and different to those that
know them.

To the ones that fake their laughter
and act different onto public.

To the slow to be expressive,
reserving first judgment to the artists.

I know them well
by the way I see their eyes.

Somehow anger burns brightly
when love is clearly tempered.

Somehow I have grown up tired
having nothing to do with guessing
wondering if they love me,
like I love them.

All I do now is walk on hot coals
stepping into the world
and the people in them.
                -V I L L A N U E V A
08.02.21