She forgave me my ashen face —
burnt out memories pale
to those yet to come. We focus
instead
on the fire burning brightest,
whose hypnotic flame dances
like dueling spirits refusing
to be bottled in bodies
that betray their age
but not their yearning.
© 2021 | Phillip Knight Scott
Written for dVerse’s Quadrille night: ashes to ashes. Also used Fandango’s One Word Challenge (hypnotic)
Often Mumbled Musings 
Very well written, pls have a look in mine
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The soul refuses to age. I love the imagery here.
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Thanks so much, Sarah : )
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I love how you manage to rekindle the flame…
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Thank Bjorn!
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Spirits, yearning flames. Yes.
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Just that!
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Do we wait for the spirit to take us, or do we live life to the fullest, regardless of what has passed?
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That’s really all life is, right?
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Indeed.
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Ha. Until you dangled it as a single word on its own line, I had never noticed that “instead” is an anagram for “sin date.”
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Well that wasn’t EXACTLY the point of the poem but is amazing nonetheless
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“bodies
that betray their age
but not their yearning“
That is really good.
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Oh I love this Phillip, beautiful.
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Thanks so much, Joni!
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I read this as someone trapped but not necessarily unwillingly. Nicely done!
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Interesting take — aren’t we all somewhat trapped by our emotions?
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I think some emotions are more welcome than others and it’s the unwelcome ones that can feel trapping.
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Bodies that betray their age but not their yearning.
What is that phrase? The spirit is willing but the flesh is weak.
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That’s the one
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I like this.
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Thanks, Jane!
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“like dueling spirits refusing to be bottled in bodies,” now that is passion.. right there! Stunning write 💝💝
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Thanks so much 🙂
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I like this–the passion still there despite the aging bodies.
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Glad you enjoyed – thanks!
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You’re welcome!
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Nice sense of balance, of ashen pasts promised for the future, of fiery souls, and the bottling of passions eager to be released. Splendid work, this.
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Thank you so much, Masa!
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I really like this piece and the imagery of two flames dancing together like no one else is watching. Lovely poem.
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Thanks so much : )
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Those last four lines are so great: who says yearning dies with age?
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yeah. It’s soooo true. My yearning is where it always was!
well written, Phillip!
❤
David
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I love your spirits refusing to be harnessed to the limitations of age.
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Thanks so much : )
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Luv the flame contrasted against the ashen look
Much💜love
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Thanks so much!
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The juxtaposition of aging body and yearning spirit you’ve beautifully penned here!
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Thanks Lynn!
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A stunning write Phillip.
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Thanks so much, Linda!
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You’re welcome.
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