As Upon A Chain Of Yearning

As one upon a chain of yearning,
Forever I travel in a ring
Around the center of the burning,
Fearing approach for fear of returning,
For fear of loss of song fearing to sing.

The links of the chain are made of gold,
Strong and polished, forged of dawn,
Made to bear a far more tempestuous hold,
Made to confine a singer far more bold,
Meant to hold until reluctance is gone.

The fire is too bright to gaze at long,
Too fair and fierce in its free glory,
Sending out such a sweet and tempting song,
Singing out a promise to do no wrong,
If only I will come in and tell the story.

But still, though I cannot break the chain,
I fear to go into the center,
Flinching away from the heat and the pain,
Flinching away from each flame-edged lane,
Turning away when I might enter.

As one upon a chain of yearning,
I circle the center of my desire,
Held on a golden strand around the burning,
Held back for fear of despair returning,
Held and held back by longing's fire.