Reborn Phoenix

I take a breath and I'm alive
I feel my blood rush to my brain
Starting my thoughts, sluggish, sluggish.
I stretch my arms to the sky,
Feeling the sun warm my hands, and
My body creaks, cracks, pops.
I smile, feeling my muscles bunch
As I spread my wings, pushing
My body into the air, higher, higher.
The wind rushes past me as I
Whoop in joy, startling birds
Into the air, falcons, eagles, and hawks.
They circle me, taking note
Of my unusual body, their
Eyes cautious, curious, curious.
Diving, I scatter them,
Their spiraling flight not
Comparable, a shadow, a mockery.
My fiery path illuminates
The glorious sky, an expression of
Hope, my soul burning, heating.
The wind shifts, my flight
Pauses, and I see the dark
Clouds approaching, menacing, hurtful.
The Birds sink for their homes,
Unwilling to be caught
Inside the squall, afraid, afraid.
I soar forward, my
Wings blazing against the
Darkening sky, a beacon, defiant.
Lightning flashes menacingly and
Thunder crashed angrily as the
Deluge began, pounding, destructive.
Pain racked my body as the
Rain impacted my fiery aura,
Threatening to crush, douse, destroy.
I flare brightly, pushing back
Water with brilliant fire, unwilling
To be broken, courageous, strong.
A bolt of electricity strikes me
Unawares, halting my stubborn
Protest, overwhelming, life-ending.
My body crumples, unable to
Flap one beat of my now-blackened wings
As I fall, defeated, life-less.
Faster, faster, faster my
Corpse plummets to the
Ground, fire extinguished, done.
The storm passes overhead.
The day, my life, is finished.
The sun rises, and from my ashes,
I take a breath and I'm alive.