pyromaniac

by Maddy Sneep

The house is on fire

and you’re asleep in bed

with matchstick fingers 

and gasoline breath

burning hair like 

morning pancakes

& the smoke on your tongue

thick like syrup – 

it’s all happening now

it’s all happening now

the indelible urge to buy 

the indelible urge to make 

seared into each palm

with a cattle prod

& each passing thought 

is a shrieking alarm

give me a window

to jump out of

a rosebed below

to cushion the fall

give me an adderall 

and I’ll build Rome in a day

give me Rome and I’ll 

finally be quiet. please, 

give me something

my house is on fire

Maddy Sneep’s work has been published online and in print. She lives in Austin, TX with her two cats who inspire her to work less and lounge more.