Fiery Phoenix

Closing my eyes, I see a
Shimmering, shining,
Feathered creature, ablaze, on fire,
Streaming across the sky.

Pretentiously exposing her elongated
Orange, gold, and crimson feathers?
Or, racing to her death,
Burning herself up,
Scorching herself through
And through until only
Her ashes remain?

No fear, no pause
No hesitation in flight,
Plummeting toward death
After such a long, long life,
Fated to start afresh, anew,
Aloft, smattering her flame
Into ashes, ashes into dust,
Sparkles sailing through the air,
Stunning sunlight winking,
Stars, particles, neutrinos, moons,
Scattering throughout the universe.

She dies.

Only to be born again.
Even to be born again.
Delighted to be born again,
Out of these cooling coals
That support new life
New growth, healing and awe.

Her tears and feathers heal our wounds,
Her life, her death and rebirth restore our souls.