Roses be roses—
no thorns,
no pain,
only pleasure
leaving sweet sensation
on soul and skin.

Fire be fire—
no burn,
no scars,
just remolded,
not to ashes,
but to worth.

Awakening—
realizing
that once I breathe,
and once it ceases,
I embalm to forever.

Not in toil
of envy
or blind admiration
as the world spins on.

In your space,
in your place,
you will shine
and outshine—
like the dawning
of a summer day.

In your voice,
in your sound,
you will rise
and outrise—
like a satellite
in orbit.