Rising, Falling, Rising<\/p>\n
By<\/p>\n
Jennifer Angelina Petro<\/p>\n
<\/p>\n
<\/p>\n
Watching the particles of dust<\/p>\n
Falling in the lamplight<\/p>\n
Of my bedroom reminds me<\/p>\n
<\/p>\n
We are all falling,<\/p>\n
Largely unseen in a light<\/p>\n
So bright we careen into it, like<\/p>\n
So many infinitesimally small moths.<\/p>\n
<\/p>\n
Have you ever tried<\/p>\n
Focusing your eyes<\/p>\n
On a specific speck of falling dust–<\/p>\n
The tiniest sliver of a snowflake,<\/p>\n
As it sailed the currents<\/p>\n
Of air in your room?<\/p>\n
<\/p>\n
I have. After several attempts,<\/p>\n
Which resulted in losing sight<\/p>\n
Of the scintilla of dust in the white of the wall,<\/p>\n
I was finally able to trace one<\/p>\n
Descend, like the smallest slice of string<\/p>\n
From some disintegrating, illuminated leaf,<\/p>\n
<\/p>\n
It fell, and I saw it rise<\/p>\n
When I exhaled, dip suddenly<\/p>\n
When I inhaled, bank wanderingly<\/p>\n
Towards the wall, tail back<\/p>\n
And make my eyes cross<\/p>\n
When it landed on my face.<\/p>\n
<\/p>\n
Remember this:<\/p>\n
After you turn out the light<\/p>\n
Grains of dust fall upon you,<\/p>\n
Pieces of pieces of falling white feathers<\/p>\n
Slowly, methodically, like<\/p>\n
The faintest of snow falls,<\/p>\n
Covers you and everything<\/p>\n
You love, like snow-embers<\/p>\n
From some unseen fire,<\/p>\n
<\/p>\n
And one day, when you realize<\/p>\n
Your life is being traced by a greater<\/p>\n
Vision, you will wake up<\/p>\n
And see your life brushed<\/p>\n
With ash, and you will rise,<\/p>\n
Shake it off, remember<\/p>\n
You are a pinch of stardust,<\/p>\n
A dash of spice, a smidgen<\/p>\n
Of fragrance, and it is time<\/p>\n
To elaborate on the trajectory<\/p>\n
Of your dreams, and turn the unavoidable<\/p>\n
Process of falling<\/p>\n
Into flying\u2014<\/p>\n
Flying into the light<\/p>\n
Of your own brilliant desires.<\/p>\n
<\/p>\n
<\/p>\n