Keeper

At arm’s length
I hold the three keys,
Master of my earth,
My skies and oceans.

Yet the flames of pride
Lick up from below,
Unyielding to legions
Of vulnerabilities.

The portrait of aplomb,
I give no quarter to the
Heat that presses against
My armor of nonchalance.

It lingers still,
Rebuffing my grounds of
Resolve and threatening
Storms of fervid madness.