Rising reborn from the ashes
the immortal bird, the Phoenix
a symbol of immortality and resurrection
reminds us that some deeply ingrained emotions
may never die as long as humankind itself survives.

Oh, let my heart not falter
when it comes to love -
even though rebuffed,
disappointed, rejected
any number of times
let me never extinguish
the torch of love
that gives warmth
to my being, to my soul.

Provide me with the memories
of successful loves
where joy, happiness, procreation
bonded commitments in rapturous
flames of love -
the loss of one's love
through death, miscalculation
or the vagaries of life
is not the end
but only spurs one on to greater effort
to re-ignite, seek and find
an even more consuming
new love for love itself eternal is.

 

Herbert Holzbauer
© February 2002

Midi: Flower Duet (Lakmé )
Composer: Léo Delibes
Sequencer: George Pollen 1999

Art: Phoenix (Tapestry)