promise

and when the fire wouldn't catch
we gathered many pine needles
the sap sticking between our fingers

and when we reached for each other
later we left sappy prints on the skin
we keep covered

the trees rubbed together and made
the sound of an ancient door
too warped to close

all night i heard animal calls
and your coughing
and the grinding of your teeth

if we ever meet again
i promise not to be
the kindling or the ash
but the air that feeds the fire

i promise