strike anywhere

these conversations never start
from my end. I lay flat, relaxed
I never want to chafe, intrude
I do love to combust, react -
but I am cool

with silence, too.

If your cool fingers hold the match
and if you bring it down, across
this dull and flinty strip will catch
with sparks like skies of stars, coax
your sulphur tip to blaze. Your small
investment - pressure, friction, paid
in conversation, smoke and flame
by such dark arts

are fires made.