Embers and ashes Sweet-smelling dust Are all that remains of a fire that burned Beyond my control Embers and ashes Softened by tears A bitter reminder of the leaping flames In the depths of my soul Embers and ashes A token sacrifice A visitation and leave-taking A silent demand Embers and ashes Irrational longing For just belonging To someone I don't understand Embers and ashes Transparent schemes Haunting dreams recur to hide my way To guide my way Embers and ashes A book of sighs A volume of highs, gone in a day Embers and ashes Drift into the past Float on a breeze, just out of my grasp Embers and ashes stain my bed Nobody's dreams were fit to claim Your face stains my every dream Only the embers and ashes remain