I Have Walked In Fire

acrylics on canvas
81 x 100 cm
2020

custom work // sold

*

I have walked in fire.
they said: careful! don’t go! 

but I went,
walked barefoot
towards the flames.

so much of me
was burnt away.

I fell as ashes
covered my past self.

when the fire was gone
I was cold
and they said: now you see! 

but all I saw was
the dead weight I had lost -
the things meant to
crumble in the wind
things I needed to shed.

the imprint of fire
on the soles of my feet.

and when I rise 
I’ll be more whole;

not lessened
but made real.

// kaisa vanhala