Black Flame

from "Turn of the Cards" (p)1974

I am words, I am speaking
I never heard my conclusion
Lost the way in my confusion, in illusion
Lost inside the picture frame

I’m not to blame, I didn’t see the black flame
I’m not ashamed, it’s poetry, the black flame
I’m rearranged, it’s changing me, the black flame
Burns my blackened brain

I am strong, I am leaving
I never knew I’d feel the need so
Where to go, I’ll turn the flow, I could not know
Screams inside the burning pain

It’s spinning head, it’s under hand--the black flame
It lies instead, I turned and I ran--the black flame
On me, it fed,i understand--the black flame
Burns my blackened brain [bad word] from me, don’t you see
That we are one and I’m a part of you
Get away, any way
I’m still a secret in the heart of you
And I’m the burning in your soul

Now I’m weak, I am losing
I never thought I’d stop trying
I’m a lie, I’m just a sigh, just a crying
Just a symbol of the game

Suspended pain, I can not face the black flame
Intended fear, I can not trace the black flame
Extended reaching into space--the black flame
Burns my blackened brain