Bonfirefighter

At the edge of the pit sits a bonfirefighter
Eyes like a madman and clutching a lighter
Gasoline in his veins, he’s gonna burn brighter
And they’re all gonna see it so he smiles wider.
He’s got a sunset in his soul.

Dirt under the nails and freckled cheeks
He’d writhed and withered for seven weeks;
He knows he’s just another one of the freaks
He moves like a movie and never speaks.
He’s got a hangdog on his back.

Waves are crashing and stars are flashing
And all the while his mind goes thrashing
Dying in blues and relentlessly slashing
Staring blankly in night, his teeth still gnashing.
He’s got skin knit from lows.

He’s shot swords for broken bones
Hopping over stepping stones
Hopscotch playtime with the drones
Of the kids he’d never known.
He’s got greatness somewhere.

Screen door squeaks and swings wide open
He turns ‘round and now he’s hoping
Boy comes out and helps with coping
He sees the smile and stops his moping.
He’s got blood on his brain.

They look in the pit at all of the mess
Together, for once; no more, no less
Boy laughs but only lightly protests
He’s not all there, he must confess.
He’s got it all right in the wrong.

The smell of the fuel wavers in and it clashes
Lives are remade like lightning flashes
The old memories fly, used like matches
Pretty soon, it’ll all just be ashes.
He’s got burns in his heart.

With a flick of the wrist the sun reappears
White hot heat and crackling cheers
Weaving through splinters, approaching the ears
Of the bloodmen, one broken into tears.
He’s got downtown steady bones.

A forever endeavor to get rid of it all
Even if it means an against-self brawl
With arms way back, he begins to sprawl
His past mistakes have their curtain call.
He’s got controversy laced in his veins.

Wide-typed stereotype on the run
He swears up and down he’s more than done
Red streaks scarred from everyone
That life is over; he’s had his fun.
He’s got pain and he’s gonna make it okay.