Today, I Rise (A Poem)

From today, I rise
From my suspended place
In space now cold, alone—
But
Not for long—
To long floating high.
Imprisoned on my lonely isle
High, high in the sky,
Surrounded by a sea of fire,
Until now unable to leave.
Centered, trapped in the middle.
No life, no trees, no birds.
Just me—an island
Burning; a mere shadow surrounded by heat.
Smoke-filled environs.
Endlessly, tirelessly.
No noise. No peace. No light.
Only darkness, opaque and heavy.
Heated tears flowing.
But from today: today I rise.
No more walking to the edge of
Hot blackened sands with bloodied
Scarred feet,
Trying too many times only to fail,
To leave.
Bound by immovable forces,
No more.
Today I rise. I rise.
I stand walking naked unaided across beds,
Beds of fire.
Feet now hardened, prepared
To lunge, to fly, to leap
Like a black bird once broken
With new wings unfurled,
Created from chaos and despair.
From today, I stand resurrected.
I have risen purposeful—determined
With renewed vision and energy,
A clear destination ahead
Through the fires,
Through the embers,
Through the blue, I move unencumbered.
Brilliant light as far as my eyes can see.
Drizzling then dappling.
I can reach.
It is not far.
Renewed.