Phoenix Rising


The last of her ego had gone out
In a spectacular fire of dancing flames
Grey smoke emitted from a large,
Smoldering pile of black ash

In the silence she did not mind
Her nonexistence
It was comforting to be still
Like mist rising off a quiet morning lake
Her exhalation sent another swirling of smoke
Into the bright blue sky

She watched fascinated
As the smoke took form
The ashen pile rustled and shifted
She became aware of herself
It was a strange comforting feeling
In a body no longer weighed down by pain and fear

Wings quivered on her back
Nodding and shifting her head from side to side
She blinked with child-like amazement
at the crystal sun-washed day
Was the sky always this blue?
She pushed against the ashen waste
Rising above the ground
In an instant she saw others bound to the earth
Unwilling to release their own fears
Saddened she froze

A bird sang out
Sunlight shone clear
A rainbow from a drop of dew
On a spider's web
The rain is over
"It is not your fate to be small
Nor do you serve or honor others by doing so,"
Whispered the voice of Spirit.

She closed her eyes
Her heart spoke the truth
Pumping her powerful wings
She pushed skyward
Like a bird she flew
The Phoenix reborn

Honoring my joy honors me
Honoring my truth honors Spirit
Honoring my joy honors me
Honoring my truth honors Spirit

by
Jamie Dancing Butterfly Martinez Wood
© 2001-2004