THE PHOENIX RELAXES BEFORE RISING FROM THE ASHES

I am the phoenix bird
and I’m here to tell you a secret:
after each crash
I enjoy a short break
before rising from the ashes:  

a part of me just wants to relax--
why fight 
if no victory can ever be final?

But though I find comfort 
in the soft gray nest at first  
soon, I start to feel dull and dim 

and so, begin to work
to rekindle my fire--
by now I know how.

And when I’m able to fly away
I’ll tell myself what I tell myself
every time I rise up:
be careful not to burn too hot.

Maybe someday I’ll obey 
that wisdom within me--
though I may not feel 
the same fiery thrill
at least I won’t crash. 

But I wonder--
do I secretly desire
that archetypal drama?

Phoenix Relaxes Before Rising from the Ashes

Recorded on September 18, 2017, for Poem-a-Day, a series produced by the Academy of American Poets. www.poets.org

Heather Christle: "Mistake"

Recorded on October 23, 2017, for Poem-a-Day, a series produced by the Academy of American Poets. www.poets.org

Howard Altmann: "After Hours"

Recorded on October 25, 2017, for Poem-a-Day, a series produced by the Academy of American Poets. www.poets.org

Deborah Landau: from "Soft Targets"

Recorded on December 15, 2017, for Poem-a-Day, a series produced by the Academy of American Poets. www.poets.org

Megan Levad: "Foundling"

Recorded on April 13, 2018, for Poem-a-Day, a series produced by the Academy of American Poets. www.poets.org

James Richardson: "Essay on the One Hand and on the Other"

Recorded on July 19, 2018, for Poem-a-Day, a series produced by the Academy of American Poets. www.poets.org

Erika Meitner: "A Brief Ontological Investigation"

Recorded on July 26, 2018, for Poem-a-Day, a series produced by the Academy of American Poets. www.poets.org

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Janice N. Harrington: "Burn"

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Bury me where... written by Chris : read by @megwaf  for #ReadMeSpeakMe No.99

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I claim to be a novelist, poet, essayist, cartoonist, graphic artist, peace monger--and I'm trying to be a world citizen. As for my backstory...let's just say I've lived and worked all over the United States.  I'm self-taught, for the most part, which is like stumbling around blindfolded while looking for the right door.  It's an on-going process. Lacking any true musical ability, I try to make music with language, while also making meaning.  

Phoenix Relaxes Before Rising from the Ashes

mythsteps

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