Jeremiah's lament

After Jeremiah 20:9

No one listens. I will embrace

silence. I will speak

no more. I will seal my lips

so no one can hear, no one

will hear. No one’s ears

will burn.

The words I will not speak

consume my heart, a fire

burns and sears my heart.

The words I will not speak

course through my bones, a fire

fed and burning from the inside

out.

The words I will not speak

will not bear imprisonment;

the fire pours out, unstoppable,

consuming even

if none listen

to the molten river.

Photograph by Caroline Steinhauer via Public Domain Pictures. Used with permission.