Lips burning, slowly stinging 

Bite and let go 

Maybe the pain will slowly abate 

Soon a red outline forms 

Like a lipliner drawn too thick 

Too coarse, too painful 

Every chapstick I used 

Dried and cracked my lips

One day, a girl came 

She gifted me with Blistex 

I, became its loyal customer 

One application 

We're on a smooth, icy cold mountain 

Icy like the scent of peppermint

Fumes of fire subsided 

I could now use the most powerful tool of all 

My lips, my mouth, my Voice.