My Friend, the Phoenix

I saw him flying

higher and higher

through the clouds,

unable to control

velocity or stop before

he hit the atmosphere

and burned.

I watched his feathers

singe and turn to ash

that fell like rain;

I couldn’t look away

but choked instead

on memories.

Tears left streaks

of grey in darker grey,

rolling down my cheek

and to the ground

where they rose up

with wings to fly.