Feel the Burn(out)

Marshmallows, creme brulee, fruit flambes

Taste good when they’re torched.

Cheeseburgers and veggie kebabs

Need their flavors brought out on the grill.

If a person catches on fire, though,

It’s “stop, drop, and roll” to avoid getting scorched.

Or it’s a somber cremation ceremony:

“What a loss. They must have been very ill.”

But what about the in-between?

I’m physically okay, not in flames or an urn,

Yet my mind is tired and spirit demeaned

Empathy shot and nearly guillotined.

I’ve talked about it, made it others’ concern

Gone hard at the gym to literally feel the burn

Cycled through better days and those filled with doubt

With hopes to emerge a phoenix, not singed and burned out.