the first i met her
she saw my problem
your hair is on fire, she said, 
the well is over there.

the man was guarding 
the well in question
nothing to be ashamed of, he said,
this is the busy season 

to feel the water slowly 
trickle down
your scalded head 
never needed no one.

the night fell quickly, 
my wounds were healed
i’m forever indebted, i said,
but they were not impressed

you owe us nothing, 
we’ve shown you something 
you would’ve seen yourself when 
you looked in the well

to see the flames devour
your every doubt
your scalded heart 
really needed someone.

and only i can save it this time
only i can save it this time

you ran to the well, your hair was on fire.
i ran to the well like my hair was on fire, 
and it was 

your hair is on fire, she said

you owe us nothing 
because your hair is on fire, she said

i felt the water slowly
put me out
my scalded self 
really needed this one