Fire in winter

To be warm

is to be safe

But warmth is not a right-

warmth is a privilege

If you are cold

freezing and dying

you do not have the right

to build a fire

You have the right

to remain silent

So when the storm comes

and buries you deep

and you have no wealth

then

you will seep

And you will freeze

forever exercising

your right

of remaining silence

until your cold

bitter

end…

when the fire runs out-

and you end.

Rest

I need to rest

to break away

from this tangling rut

I need to escape 

from these chains

keeping me hostage

I need to leave

to get away 

from this choking hold

I need to fly away

because these manacles hold me

bind me

suffocate me

keep me down, down, down…

and I remain a prisoner

because fear keeps me

from reaching through the bars

and touching that light

If I could have one wish

I would wish for freedom

from doubt

from that suffocating fear

that stills my breath

and keeps me dear…