PHOENIX RISING (IP)

I gazed into the ashes of the bonfire of my life;
And poked it with the garden rake, trying not to cry
As I watched the white smoke swirling,
Reaching upwards for the sky.
I saw her favourite novel burning,
Its cover melting, pages curling
And in the breeze its pages turning
As if it were still being read by my darling, faithless wife.

And all my anger burned away, consumed by heat and flame –
As bright sparks flew towards the clouds
The fire began to dim and wane;
I felt my strength returning and it was then I knew
I soon would learn to speak her name
Without bitterness, regret nor pain;
And as I slowly walked away from the dying fire,
I thought I heard the beat of wings -
I turned, and saw a turtle dove
Rising from the remnants of her things –
And I knew I too would rise again
From the ashes of the bonfire of our love.