How I Got That Scar

Crys Clemente is a queer Filipino-American writer who graduated from the Savannah College of Art and Design. They've interned at Theatre Philadelphia, apprenticed at Walnut Street Theatre, and now work with Philadelphia Asian Performing Artists. "How I Got That Scar" is published as part of Philly Storied City, a city-wide literary project. More here: philly.short-edition.com

Once
I encountered
Danger
in the shape of a man
and he fascinated me
with his reckless passion,
candid perverseness,
measured brutality
where all others to me
were kid gloves,
platitudes,
sweet and distant
like being romanced by the moon.
Until the night
he came to me
all swagger and grin
liquor low in his gut
bearing home with him
the spoils of buccaneering,
his collateral damage.
And in the morning
when he sobered
he had no remorse.
He hadn't the capacity.
So goes the nature
of wild men and wildfires
and fools (like me)
who think they won't get burned.
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