By The Stove Poem by Sonya Florentino

I don't know why I always burn myself
by the stove
While cooking
Even while boiling water

I always tell myself
It can't be that hot
So sans protection
I attempt, bare hands

I always seem to forget
the last time I got burned
The last time I got hurt

I don't know if I'm stubborn
or foolish, or both

And so I do it again
And guess what? get burned
Scorched, scalded, hurt
I seem to forget the last time
I was tempted, then regret

I don't know why I always burn myself
by the stove

And every time, each time
scorned
by hope