the burning bush

i burned for a year,
but nobody felt the heat.
left ashes on everything i touched.
fingerprints to mark my silent burning.
but i am no phoenix;
this is no rebirth.
this is existence.

i burned for a year,
but was never consumed by the flame.
self-immolation of a selfish degree.
this is not a sacrifice;
this is an escape.
this is untouchable.
this is a warning.

i burned for a year,
or maybe it was ten.
it's been so long that i've lost count,
but it’s my fault for being pre-destined for burning.
for being a wildfire of a being.
for being so desert of feeling
that all i can do is burn
and burn
and burn.

Morgan Caudill is a writer from Kentucky who has only recently begun to share her work. She has a BA in English and an MAT in middle grades education. She currently works as a teacher by day and writes in her room by night.