my past was a boulder
weighing me down
so I held it up, said goodbye
watched it melt to the ground
and as I saw it fade
it became rich as the soil
I rooted into the earth
and felt my wings uncoil
from the tangled-up mess
of years without use
I pulled my strength into my body
I shook them loose
and I imagined them lifting me
higher and higher and higher off the ground
I said I know you are sore but please
never let me down
I belong in the sky
and I
cannot return
they said,
my friend,
you have done
so
much
and now,
it’s our turn
"wings"
2021