I watched the ashes rise, the wood burn, and the fire play
I stood there in disbelief that something so gorgeous was standing before me
I was taken aback when the flames first burned, I hadn't much to say
The crowd stood stunned, the wait was over and I finally felt free

Packed and bundled closely, fifteen thousand huddling together
Until the fire began to burn strong, keeping us warm in the cold weather

No thoughts danced through my mind like they usually would
Wonder and silence held my mind captive, as in that moment they could

My breath caught a few times and my eyes let one tear run free
For what I was looking at was like nothing I thought I'd ever see

Now my mind keeps prisoner the memories of that night
When the Phoenix kept burning, rising high and so bright

They say if you stare into a fire long enough, it'll clear your memory
If only that was so
They say if you try to forget something, that with time it will work
That's something I don't know
I've been replaying that night over and over in my mind
Trying to believe it was worth it, but my thoughts haven't been so kind
I was mesmerized by that fire, by that bird going up in flames
That a tear had escaped my grasp, and nothing would ever be the same

...