Surround Sound

I plug in my earbuds, press play, and close my eyes

My head leans back as I am enveloped in the song

and I breathe. 

I feel like fire

Not only do I hear the music, but the music hears me

I can feel it plucking at my heartstrings and pouring into my soul

it feels like ice cold flame igniting 

a temporary refuge where I don't have to be 

a standard an expectation a comparison

I don't have to be anything other than me. 

As the song comes to an end

so does my imagined reality

but I am not ready yet

so  I hit replay

again and again I hit replay

I need time to breathe still

Because a fire can be smothered

and I am not ready to be put out

not yet