amaranth

there,
in the glow of the morning
she stood.

her back to the wind as she dove,
headlong,
into the expanse of light.

her mind empty,
yet yearning for fullness,
heart torn
yet hopeful for repair,
spiralling head-toe-head-toe,
awake.

each burst of air into her lungs
expanded,
made full a cavity
enlivened by the blossoming
of breath.

never before had her body
been so conscious,
of every movement,
each stretching muscle,
impacting the space.

living had not once
been so inspiring,
before.

with laughter,
awe,
mercy,
her form there,
was good.

every footfall,
toes arching,
heals resting,
walking
each pound of her blood
pulsing
through her heart,
beating
gentle unlatching
of her eyelashes,
opened to surroundings,
seeing

all at once,
deafeningly
raw
terrific
brilliance.

she knew
at that moment,
when her conversation
with beauty began,
her intentional
phase of life
entered being.

slighted and forlorn,
the shadow chamber
threatened
to cease opening,
enticing
gradual
whispers.

yet, the new aurora
held fast to her,
eclipsing the night
vanquishing it to memory.

boulders shattered,
darkness' deceptions
exposed as death.

emerging from ashes,
end thrown into future
she straightened,
threading her spine
with courage,
peaceful in her fragility
she invited tomorrow.

from the ridge above,
her friend listened to her summer song,
then, having discerned the essence,
named it joy.