The lump of coal my parents teased br I'd find in my Christmas stocking br turned out each year to be an orange, br for I was their sunshine. br br Now I have one C. gave me, br a dense node of sleeping fire. br I keep it where I read and write. br "You're on chummy terms with dread," br br it reminds me. "You kiss ambivalence br on both cheeks. But if you close your br heart to me ever I'll wreathe you in flames br and convert you to energy." br br I don't know what C. meant me to mind br by her gift, but the sun returns br unbidden. Books get read and written. br My mother comes to visit. My father's br br dead. Love needs to be set alight br again and again, and in thanks br for tending it, will do its very br best not to consume us. br br br Anonymous submission.