Cost

What is the cost

of taking your own fire

and smothering it

of being told

it is your fault

you have brought out the moths

with your burning 

see how they are gathering 

for tens of years

I have been covering up 

my soul 

myself

and burying us under the earth 

digging a grave for my delight

for my friendships with inappropriate people 

for everything that is loving

and lovely in me

learning to cover myself, to take cover 

to take this veil and stuff it into my mouth

that I may not say

all the wrong things

and lead people into temptation.