I thought you had departed,

truly, for better skies,

and I sadly started preparing

for the celebration of you,

but then you returned,

knocked about by your journey, yes,

but still breathing,

so I happily started preparing

for the celebration of you.

Oh, these fleeting days!

We cling to them like chains around our heart,

breathless with fear,

until one day

we realize that one breath at a time

is itself the celebration--

we are never bound, truly,

we are fiercely created

to be free.