First Burn

Red blooms beneath the sleeve,

hot and tight like anger held too long.

A careless cup pressed too close,

coffee’s bite marking skin like a brand.

The sting lingers,

sharp as regret,

a reminder carried under fabric,

tough to ignore, harder to forget.

I catch the light on the blistered patch,

a scar waiting to settle,

a warning whispered in heat and pain,

slow to heal, quick to smart.