I'd rather spend a year

Stoking embers

Than one night

Watching the fireworks

They're beautiful

But they burn out so fast

Maybe so beautiful they leave an indelible image in the mind for a lifetime

But the image is all they leave.

No warmth.

No safety.

No stability.

So I stoke the embers

Gradually building and burning

Until we can finally blaze

Together.

Not just for a night.

Something lasting, and lasting because of my efforts,

Will always be more beautiful than those loud lights that flash out in the night sky