I Rise.
This year, I burned myself away
I let myself wilt
Without dismay
Often, I was horrified
A world in meltdown
Triggered my pride
And let me drown
I got up, though
I always came around
It took some time, yes
To learn and grow
To allow an unfolding
To draw back my bow
My life would make an impact
I quickly decided
There was no room to hesitate
In a world of those misguided
It took courage, there is no question
My dream was clear
I was to make an impression
I stood by, watching with intent
And through experience, I learned well
The way to heal the destruction
Is not through some wishing well
I found my village
And they found me
They were, truly, my unity
The one thing I had awaited
For what seemed like centuries
Had unfolded miraculously
Women became a necessity
I was opened to a whole other world
Wild creatures who howled at the moon
Who sang and twirled
Around a blazing fire
Hand in hand
Togetherness was our power
It was our will to stand
I rose from my flames
Unveiling a new sense of being
And I began to make way.
by Sarah Winston