I walked into the lake again
Last time it was Autumn,
and the wind had howled
“Go back!
You fool,
you nave,
do not follow
your reflection down!”

(But Spring has a delightful wind

that had giggled in my ear
and tugged on my hand
with youthful enthusiasm)

My arrival in the water

triggered no surprise
“It feels as if
I only saw you yesterday,”
the cloudy darkness mused

(“I see you all the time,”

I wanted to say,
but my lungs were swollen
from their intake of water)

The further I sunk,

the brighter the light above became
The shine tried to touch me,
but I danced away

(I was meant to grow in darkness

Damp,
chilled darkness
where shadows are nourishment)

The choice to float to the surface

was not mine,
but when I emerged,
my spirit felt pure

(Last time I coughed and gagged

and peeled leaves off my legs
This time was different;
better, overall)

I am no longer heavy

I am barely a whisper,
stalking through the woods,
flying alongside the wind

(I will be the voice

you hear at night,
singing the songs
I finally understand)

Flames unravel,

reaching out and spinning me madly
Music like you
plays through the smoke

(You were my favorite melody,

and I hope you’ll soon join me,
dancing in the light
of the wildfire)