Juniper Tree (Poem)

[ghostwings]

Inspired by a dream I had a while back.

My mother did not slay me
My father did not eat me
Yet I came back to them as a bird
to perch in the juniper tree

I came in a flash of fire that did not burn
I brought with me no gifts when I returned
beyond the knowledge of the ever turning
cycle of life and death and new rebirth

All was well, I told my family
and I was well, my spirit flying free
yet I clung to the earth by digging my talons deep,
deep into the bark of the juniper tree

When dusk approached, I made my last farewells
wept tears of gold, and beat my fiery wings
making my way towards the distant west
where shadows will embrace all living things

I left nothing at all behind me
but a constellation of bright memories
and ash on the bark of the juniper tree