A scratch
A spark
A flame.
Her face in the matchlight is a child's with a new toy.
The small fire dances at her fingertips, thin and mysterious,
as much a mystery as the woman who wields the match
as beautiful too, in its own way, and maybe as dangerous.
Move too close to the flame and burn a precious finger.
Can I keep my hands to myself?
Maybe, but in the meagre matchlight, the future can't be seen.

AcB 11.7.00