KODAK Digital Still Camera

flames flicker still
behind my eyes
though the coals have gone soft
and gray
I rub two lives together
looking for smoke
to rise

burning it down
after building it up
you would think it would get
tiresome
but since I have nothing else to do
I draw plans for the next life
gathering sticks and stones
that will break my bones
and start again

the smell of burnt hair
rises like a halo around my head
I wonder what
my mugshot will look like
smoldering looks
as I give rise to that phoenix
once again