burning boy

we’ve been watching a boy on fire
he’s framed by heat
but nothing burns him
we turned away when he was born
in a world where he woke up
dowsed in gasoline
and our nation lit a match
setting him ablaze
but all eyes were on him
when he reached out
spreading the fire
from person to person
burning those around him
and we point our fingers
as he grasps at his fading freedom
turning it to ash piece by piece
and in the end
we blame the burning boy