• Phoenix tears leave trails of blood; fear strikes at the heart of those closest to it and the walls shudder, shake, and fall. Her heart’s missing and my own pounds because of the knowledge that silver will disappear into red. So distant, and nothing can be done; pain creates the walls I cannot breach. Unable to save herself, I long to stay with her and pull her close. She hides it so well. But a phoenix is the mistress of saving others and ignoring all agony of her own self. Stay real; her bittersweet heart will break at the slightest tap. The world pulls her down and she has one saving grace; how long must she go before she sees the strength I know she has? I am not one to keep her safe, not one to tell her what she is to this world, not one to save her, no matter the level of wishing that I could be. Phoenix cries, Phoenix dies; Phoenix loves, Phoenix lives. Sweet heart, don’t give up. Broken heart, please trust again. Missing heart, catch on to something you love before you disappear. From the ashes will she rise, and Phoenix will explode into the world in a whirlwind of beauty, strength, and glory.