My Spirit Is A Flame Poem by Mark Heathcote

I take off my clothes and dance naked in front of the fire.
My spirit is a flame.
Without a name or a number, a destination
I am without clothes or masks.
I am myself without chains or potholes placed in front of me.
A row of fire guards I am the coals in the grate shimmering.
This is the true meaning of life.
This is the meaning of love.
Like an open tulip bud, I danced.
And sang, and later I returned to my more confining clothes.
Put on my mask and asked for forgiveness and help
To do all my other more familiar unhappy tasks.