in order
to rise again
the phoenix must let itself
be consumed by fire
every pinion
must fully return
to ash
the hollow bones pop
crumble in upon
themselves
as the flames lick
the now bare skin

as i lay
in this bed
blowing flakes of
what i once was
into a cyclonic tempest of
pomegranate memories
the scent of wildflowers
calls out
the first scent
not of char and loss
to sweep through
newly formed nostrils

the memories hover
hard scars
on soft pink flesh
as the first struggling steps
of this new chapter
unfold
i look at the destruction
that caused this
rebirth
with half formed acuity
softly letting out the call
that i am here