"Boiling Water"

Sometimes the water starts to boil
Before the stove is on
And the bubbles rise
More passionately
With each lost moment.
And I am powerful beyond my awareness. 

The steam continues to rise
And I hear my mother warn me
“BE CAREFUL”
To not get burned or inflict the
hurt
on another.
And the fire is fueled from
Without
Greed and selfishness and apathy
Sustain the flame.
And a child is forgotten.
And my limitations turn to ash. 

There’s danger in boiling water,
But we need it—I need it
To create, to give life
To rise like the steam
And to transform
That which I am and those who I
Touch. 

A mother kisses her daughter goodnight
And they smile.
And nobody knows the strength of boiling water
Until they’ve cooked with it.