HOME IS THE FIRE
by time you found our sanctuary
for witches on the run
your body was already half-burnt
as you stepped into our circle
clothes fresh from the rain
your flesh was still sizzling
your tongue was still aflame
when you tried to speak the ritual greeting
only the sound of crackling came out of your mouth
o, how we clasped our hands around you
as we sang the blessing songs
you covered your ears, you screamed and screamed
to drown out our singing voices
we filled our pool with lavender and cedar
to wash you clean with purifying herbs
the bathwater boiled and turned to steam
the moment it touched your skin
we took you to our sacred garden
your touch turned our plants to coal
o, how we wanted to help you, sister
perhaps it was our wanting that failed you
we tried so hard to extinguish the fire
we never asked what you saw in the flames
at night while we slept
you howled in our dreams
and in the mornings
there was ash on our pillows
our great enchantresses tried
their most potent rituals to heal you
they crumbled to dust, consumed
by the conflagration inside you
you burned and you burned
and would not stop
and with every day passing
there was less of you
and now, all these moons later
your bones are still burning
and i am here to try
once again to save you
my hand inside your rib cage
my ear pressed to your skull
as my flesh starts to smolder
and my hair goes up in smoke
whispering the magic question
how do you save a burning woman?
and as my skin is set ablaze
as my body begins to scream
i can finally hear your answer
echoing deep inside your bones:
you must embrace the flames within yourself
without fear of being burnt
you must not try to heal her
because you fear the sound of her pain
you must remember, she chose the fire
so that she might know love
Author’s Bio
Kai Cheng Thom is a writer, performer, and community educator based in Toronto. She is the author of four award-winning books, including the essay collection I HOPE WE CHOOSE LOVE, a Stonewall Honour Award recipient, and the poetry collection a place called No Homeland.