Shelby Wedelich last appeared at this page with her poem No Horizon Will Hold Me Back. Her poetry speaks to overcoming obstacles, being undeterred by setbacks, and achieving one’s goals. A little inspiration in the month of traditional vacation–not saying don’t relax, just saying don’t relax for too long!
Fire and Rain
By Shelby Wedelich
Ashes, shadow gray
Disaster had been wrought
Telling tales
Of ruthless gales
And deadly battles fought
All the earth is still
Lying in wait
Though for what
They know not
Be it love or further hate
Lightning rends asunder
Livid violet skies
And at the site
Of the strike
A heart that never dies
Scarlet firelight
And blazing golden wings
How surreal
The air feels
At the song the phoenix sings
Flying like the wind
The incarnate flame
Descends to dark
A single spark
Beyond the binds of name
Never conquered
Like the distant stars
Which still burn
Though centuries burn
And leave behind their scars
Yet, small and broken
A sparrow despairs
Clipped wing
Won’t sing
When no one’s there to care
Fire meets earth
And in his deep eyes
A tear beads
Rolls off his beak
As the phoenix cries
Chirping her joy
Healed by phoenix tears
Sparrow fly
To the sky
Dawn, after all these years
Songs fill the air
Ringing with change
To the sky
The broken fly
Freed by fire and rain
Sad, but meaningful