How to Catch Fire by Jaineba Chang You can't be afraid when you catch fire.
You can't be afraid your hands will burn;
It's only a lovers' kiss
To fireproof your palms.
Fortify you so you don't crack
Like fine pottery,
Forgotten in the kiln.
In the womb of fevers,
You become new—
Not burning to smithereens,
But rise: ash to flesh,
Something that never was.
For those who embrace the flame,
Boldness favors the familiar;
A deity born from
Eternal flame,
Eternal unrest.
Catch fire with your fingertips
Before you mold it with your hands.
Play a children's game,
Juggling sparks on your feet,
Before you dare to tame
The flame that may consume you.
Walk on heated stones,
Callus your feet.
Prepare for the sweet burden of
The untouchable element;
For those trained to swallow,
It will be nectar to bees.
To catch yourself a blaze in sleep,
But with the living,
Die and resurrect
In this delicate training.
Gaining powers,
You spit fire—
Practice to cradle in infernal bliss,
To perfect the dance
Of burning.
Hear Jaineba Chang recite the poem on the Viewless Wings Poetry Podcast:
Jaineba Chang is a short story writer and poet. She is from Brooklyn, NY and now lives in Miami, Florida. She has been featured in The Caribbean Writer, Harvery, The Edison Literary Review and The Shrew Lit Zine. She has recently self published a chapbook of micro poetry called I Get Embarrassed Easily and other love notes. She enjoys tanning on the beach and chocolate ice cream.
