Mariposa

By Ori C. Li
After Danza de la Mariposa (Valerie Coleman)

I am born anew from sinews of sleep.
The earth, before me, my home of leaves, and crawling
Dreams, behind me. I used to think I was
Burdened with yesterdays, memory-fled, embarked
To forget, to loss. I used to think I was
Set down in dissonance, dusty with ash.

How foolish I was to fear myself! I take
To the skies upon spring flowers, merry yellows
And gentle pinks wave in the sea of grass.
Children make a dozen crowns. This April
Day, momentous eternity, those birds
Entranced in lively song, the wind a cradle
Of time of lands untamed—
I dance!
Fleeing my shell, I chase the moment now.