I was once a bright bird.

my feathers glistened red,

my gait, unfailing.

I soared.

I saw the brief moments of

my history clutched in the

sticky fingers of a girl

racing after fireflies,

in the dimming summer light.

I needed no one. I flew unencumbered.

Each voice in my sky was sought.

Bit by bit those voices—

false and uncaring, weakened my gait,

softened my wings.

I hesitated.

I flew higher. I lost the voices

in the clouds, until, like Icarus,

I soared too close,

my proud wings dissolved.

I was once a bright bird,

now I am a phoenix.