My Usefulness To You Poem by RIC BASTASA

you see
i burn to the fire
of your
tongue

i realize
that paper self
that
i am

it is not that
thick
and reliable
i am light
and

not safe even
during those
rainy days

i am not afraid
to burn

i guess it is my nature

and so
try it

speak, speak some more
give me that fire
those balls of fire
that must perfect my nature

my smoke is
a beautiful fog on top
of those mountains

some sleep on the
trees
without so much
hassle

when i turn to
ash

perhaps that will just
be enough
for you

to finally shut up.