Bright Phoenix, Dark Sky

One feather at a time
emerges
from the fiery chrysalis;
Then the shell crumbles
and the wing
draws back,
Shedding himself like a dancer
disdainful
of the last of her seven veils:
His resurrection at last.
Restless,
he braces his wings of fallow gold
and crimson,
and feathers deep blue as the crashing Sea,
and crouches; talons of amber
pale as fire
gouging deep the dark,
damp, fresh earth,
and rises high,
and soars.
They hear his cry for many miles.