Birth #1

Eighteen summers back
I forged the silhouette  
of a love bird
that chirped  
with fledgling strength
 
Her lyrics and melody  
fashioned a layered truth
from the language of stars
 
And wild mountain flocks  
Etched their way through  
the heat and pressure of clouds
turning the carbon rocks
into a pool of diamonds
 
For nine long moons I stretched
Into the shapes of limbs and wings
Fierce and graceful  
a baby dragonette grew
deep within my belly  
 
I beckoned the flocks
to lean forwards
and listen closely  
White beaks pecking  
at the nested egg
 
My baby dragonette
She bubbled and scratched
the way flames lick and devour
the dried twigs of a branch
 
Then stretched her way out
Into the arms of the atmosphere
Jet black spikes of hair
 
Taking her first breath  
Lying on my shoulder then
And even now
I feel it
 
As she jettisons
my shelter
 
Leaving home
To explore a new destination