mothers put stirofoam on the corners of tables

to protect their children

they hide away knives so the kids can’t use them

i was told not to play with matches

because the beautiful light was dangerous

i was protected right from the start.

but what if i don’t want to fear everything i touch?

life is now hard

it kicks me over and over

it wants me to be hurt

so now i like to play with matches because they risk me being burned.