Poem: Coal and Diamonds

[imaginary_golux]

There was a coal that burned
As bright as diamond stars
(I did not know what fire was),
And so I reached for it.

I knew no better than to think
That diamonds burned
(I did not know what fire was),
And so I clung to it.

When friends told me
That it should not burn me
I thought they were jealous,
And would not let go of it.

When it had burnt me to the bone,
My pain outweighed desire
(I learned what fire was),
And I let go of it.

But it is still beautiful,
As bright as diamond stars;
Had I but unburned hands
I would reach for it.