Smoldering 

Smoldering embers buried deep within,

heating up under the mounting pressure.

Tremors like earthquakes through my body,

disrupt my calm exterior.

Muscles tightening more and more.

My jaw clenched tightly,

grinding my teeth with every breath

as I try to focus on the task at hand,

fifteen more wait on my shoulders,

sagging under the weight,

of my heavy load.

Smoldering embers reaching out,

delicate fingers winding around my resolve,

beginning to glow and grow,

gaining strength with each passing day.

Soft flickering tongues of flame,

sprouting from the embers

as they begin to consume the fuel;

pressure, demands, and commitments;

oxygen rich lovers embrace the dancing flames.

Stronghold of my resolve engulfed in smoke.

Raging inferno of flame and smoke,

obliterating everything within the path they choose,

littering the landscape with barren soot,

as all is consumed

and burned out.