Fats here.
Two weeks ago, I posted a poem by Thich Nhat Hahn to celebrate my friend Megan’s birthday. In two days, Iphigene celebrates her birthday, so here I am with another Poetry Friday post dedicated to one of my favorite people in the world.
I chose this poem by May Sarton not only because Iphigene loves the phoenix but also because she embodies the phoenix. She has gone through so many “foggy” days and difficult times but I’ve known her to rise time and time again.
In sharing this poem, may you also find hope in Sarton’s words that when you fall,
you will rise again.
Join Linda Baie of TeacherDance and other writers
for Poetry Friday’s October ending!
The Phoenix again
On the ashes of this nest
Love wove with deathly fire
The phoenix takes its rest
Forgetting all desire.
After the flame, a pause,
After the pain, rebirth.
Obeying nature’s laws
The phoenix goes to earth.
You cannot call it old
You cannot call it young.
No phoenix can be told,
This is the end of the song.
It struggles now alone
Against death and self-doubt,
But underneath the bone
The wings are pushing out.
And one cold starry night
Whatever your belief
The phoenix will take flight
Over the seas of grief
To sing her thrilling song
To stars and waves and sky
For neither old nor young
The phoenix does not die.
Gathering Books 
A beautiful, loving gift to offer for Iphigene’s birthday!
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I have an affinity for the phoenix, too. Of all the legends, it is imbued with the most hope, despite all the troubles it may go through.
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We all need this reminder from time to time – we all have a phoenix inside, just waiting to spread its wings!
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Beautiful for your friend, Fats. I love “But underneath the bone/The wings are pushing out. Happy Birthday, Iphigene!
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Your poem gives me comfort especially the lines: “The phoenix will take flight/Over the seas of grief”. Happy birthday, Iphigene! =)
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Fats,
Thank you for this. This was very sweet of you.
I love the picture. I am unfamiliar with the poem, but I’ll be keeping it in my files. I think my affiliation and love for the Phoenix is rooted to my life—not that it symbolizes/embodies my life, but it reminds me to pick myself up, to rise again. Perfect timing too because I needed to be reminded of this. 🙂
Thank you again. Thanks to everyone who greeted me. I can’t believe I have been away for 10 months now. Time flies.
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What a lovely gift, and thought, especially this line: “The phoenix will take flight over the seas of grief.” Happy Birthday Iphigene!
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Happy Birthday, Iphigene! Much much love. Your book signed by Benjamin Alire Saenz is waiting for you here in Singapore.
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