Scorcher

So simple, really: if what you are
hurts, be someone else.

Burn off your heritage and history
like so much kerosene.  Toss it onto a fire
and watch your pain combust into Heaven.
Reinvention is the American way.

Of course, they made it hard
to be what you once were

and they are going to make it hard
to be what you have become.
You will be lying from now on
but it should feel no worse than the truth did.

This is why the recommended method
for defense against this is fire.

Even if it burns you too, there’s still
a mythologically significant chance
that you’ll burst out
through the flames

at last adorned in colors
everyone can agree on.