Eclipse

By Aria Raina

the red fades from your lips

as the candle makes its final wish.

your contains shrivel into a new domain;

the page flips, and you breathe in.

old lists, wishes, and troths dissolve into

proud triumphs, regrets of undone, and courageous tries,

even discovering you were better off as a runaway bride.

the angel of an era will kiss you goodbye:

“i’ll see you again when the sun ushers,

as your flames turn to dust—

the dust of your glory and the dust of your fall.”

gravity anchors your restless feet

down to earth, when dreams make peace.

for when you’ve lingered in perilous skies,

lost your way or even have found it.

even steadfast tides will bow in time,

falling with purpose, rather than defeat.

the circle will spin right back to a quiet start,

not to error once more,

but as light at the end of a tunnel.

By Aria Raina