Love is like a friendship caught on fire. In the beginning a flame, very pretty, often hot and fierce, but still only light and flickering. As love grows older, our hearts mature and our love becomes as coals, deep-burning and unquenchable.
-Bruce Lee


"The doubters said,
"Man cannot fly,"
The doers said,
"Maybe, but we'll try,"
And finally soared
In the morning glow
While non-believers
Watched from below."
— Bruce Lee

The Phoenix

I couldn't breathe,
I wasn't able to feel.
Uncomfortable in my own skin,
I had to leave.
I had to make a change.

Fueled by frustration and fear,
I set the house afire.
I doused my security blanket with gasoline
And tossed the match over my shoulder as I walked away.

Entering my new life,
You stood in the doorway.
I was afraid,
But there was something in your eyes,
Something in the song you sang.
You had my attention.

Coughing,
Choking from the smoke.
I left the memories unpacked
And fell into you.

Slipping, hold onto me.
Falling, elevate me,
Tripping, dust me off.
The house is ablaze.

Uncertain, unprepared.
I stumble and wobble,
Learning to walk again.
You hold my hand.

We look back to the ashes,
The embers still burn.
My knees are weak but your arms surround me.
I can close my eyes and breathe again.

Together we heal,
Tomorrow we rebuild,
Today we love.
I will rise from the flames.