Life, Death, Rebirth

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 flames
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
Transformation, new growth and awe

Tears and burning feathers heal our wounds
Life, Death and Rebirth restore our souls