From the Ashes, A Poem of Renewal

Weakened by the burden of
the pain this season brought,

The darkening night surrounds me
making dimmer every thought.

Each breath shallower than another,
the world turns colder by degrees.

A fleeting hope that it is over,
this will be my final freeze.

Just before the last and lonely
dying ember deep inside

The core of my heart is extinguished,
something cracks and opens wide.

Bursting forth, the fire rages
and consumes all that I am,

Leaving only greying ashes
marking all that I could stand.

But the great Creator breathes
a gentle breeze across the mound,

And a dusty swirl of white and grey
lifts slowly from the ground.

Like a beautiful tornado,
ashes dance into the air;

All past burdens finding freedom,
fleeing far without a care.

And I am naked and uncovered
to my very deepest soul.

He re-clothes me and He holds me,
what was broken He made whole.

From the palm of my Creator,
I spread my wings and feel the wind;

And I know that I am Phoenix,
from the ashes born again…