Slaying some dragons

By the river, I’ve been
for how long, I can’t say exactly

Never realizing that through all the
observing, listening, tumbling, pondering, and learning
my ancestral blade was being sharpened
across stones, jagged and ancient

            with each drag and turn, guidance released

dipping the hot metal in calm water
to rinse the fragments and cool the friction
watching the hard steel create soft ripples
that multiply and extend

                                    far beyond my sight or reach

Been looking toward the heavens, counting birds
catching the rare feather that falls to earth

Been catching my reflection
in the polished sword, sometimes gasping
at the changes
            I see
my grandfather’s eyes
staring back at me
saying without words,
you’re ready, you’re ready

Not all battles are fought in a field
with bullets flying
many are fought within

For the journey ahead
purposeful and unpredictable
I am ready, I am

Thank you for visiting and reading! While working on a Saturday post, with some writer news to share, this poem (that began as a few tumbling lines yesterday) dropped in. You know how it is, dear writer and poet friends; best to let the words flow, like a healthy river, sustaining life, above and below. This poem feels like a prelude for an approaching quest, offering me courage as I gather my words. Best to you! [image error] Michele

featured photo is AI generated (that was fun to create and imagine!) / Waxing Gibbous moon photo taken during yesterday’s twilight (Feb. 6)

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