I walked through on tiptoes
fire-walking across coals
that have smoldered for decades
in my belly stuffed down and buried
with the boar that we feasted on
those the nights so long ago.
We stuffed our bellies,
hand feeding each other
like it was our last meal,
then slept soundly, never waking
to see the destruction.  

I plucked the coals from between my toes
and tossing them back onto the fire
so they wouldn’t burn down my house,
so my sons might escape unsinged.
Escape these gates where I am locked away.