We are at a stand off
in my truth and light,
My truth is rooting
deeper into the rocks
Into the core of the Earth
like the familiar
knives of grief
Like an epic rebirth
of my inner child
and
every
bit
of
me-
An intricate pattern
Dripping and
weaving swirls below
My deep green eyes
Dried tears have become
my war paint –
glittering like pure snow,
Becoming a tapestry of light
that my wounds have etched
to tell my story, of all I know,
The butterfly inside of me-
And you stand there staring-
Watching me grow
Watching me rise,
Rising like the woman I am,
Because I finally can-
Rising like a star from dust,
Rising to right here right now
& because I must
I rise to this very occasion,
To fly.
Gretchen Venters 