pride

i dig my feet in the dirt

red clay caked to my shins and my skirt

seeping into my skin

like water

as i breathe

in

and out

and in it flows

through my veins, hair, and toes

a twisting red river

of mud, earth, and home

it comes to break in my lungs

a wave

crashing hard as i succumb

to the world ‘round my body

and fall…

and when i awake

i see

the hot, burning sun has fallen with me

replaced with orange pixies in clouds

dancing wild up above

the sea

they trail yellow and gold

truly

a sight to behold

(like me)

as i gain land and stand

on my feet

to see clearer, i feel

toes rough on the surface

but the good earth, she knows this

and still loves when they touch

a subtle rush

of life

a kiss of green to the white

of my skin

and as the moon rises within

the sky

i think maybe i

am just where i’m meant to be

on this shore by the sea

turning toes to blue foam

as ships capsize beneath

the waves

far out

at sea

the blue covers my skin with the sky

a reflection

of the soul that’s inside

of this body

it reminds me

as the cold turns my toes

purple

how soft we all are

gushing with life that comes forth

from within

living lives filled with honesty and sin

never knowing

what comes at the end

but for me

i know

my death will be a damn rainbow