Terracotta Urns Poem

"Terracotta Urns"

I learned to forgive myself for the times I'd fallen by the poisoned promises of love

My heart would ache knowing that time would soon come to collect my tainted dreams

  But I eventually stopped fighting 

 I found renewal in the sweetwater of my tears  

 and unclenched the fright in my fist  

 Ma assured me it was okay to scatter those ashes by the river 

my mind soon followed in surrender

loveless thoughts carried away in whispers of wind

as I promised to become quiet and malleable 

to become shaped by the unknown

choosing to mold myself in soul time 

  finding respite in communion with the wisdom of my ancestors

And they rejoice 

My spirit’s been alchemized in the fire of tribulation 

my soft clay skin has hardened with resilience 

and I shine as if I’ve been polished by purpose herself

despite those feathered heart breaks 

I stand sturdily 

Tall, brown, and rhythmic in form 

imprinted by the touch of God 

like a thousand urns of terracotta

I’m sustaining life still

And the love in my heart 

will always be formidably 

in bloom. 

- Sol