temporary heartache lifts as thoughts slowly release gently into impending hibernation enduring thickly wet burdened burnt umber leaves giving pause to reflect

she is delayed with sloggy mid-mud emergence for only moments

and like it,

slowly becoming

the lotus woman 

opening up to all she is as desired

weathering inner onion layers thick with sobbing storms that once cried out resembling tornado alleys echoing banshee wails, she sheds then wipes tears heavy and burdened by regrets surrendering salty and true

delightedly lifting now by shifting light

feathery and softening sharp imagined

edges once ruffled up by life 

gently easing and into a smoothed out version undulating and uplifted

by laughter that’s known bitter roots cut deep left with nothing but to heal

content with Rapunzel hair flowing unfettered and tamed by wiley brushes with near-death showing thriving beyond surviving is paramount for authentic living

greying at the temples, gossamer once yet, still growing without split nor abandon

with no longer need for towers nor shining armor knights with agenda

enjoying an acquired taste for her body’s new softness in places where once were firm enough to bounce any quarter 

quickly flipping free in

her embodiment of a woman embrassing crone status

now beyond shackles imposed by anti-social morés and constricting stigmatic paradigms followed blindly but with hopeful intent

embracing an embroidery of scars running across a universe of sun-kissed freckled skin replete with crow’s feet imprints now becoming evidence of fast lane living loving each looking at them

as merely mid-life  tattoos, 

only with better stories

of a deeper meaning

worn gently badges in testimony

to not just living but alive while

she is becoming a woman who

knows she’s a warrior 

not a worrier

fully pledged standing in allegiance to loving still and will, in fact, inspite, of at times being forlorn she knows in time

that whatever comes,

she will endure.

she is becoming a deeply worn weathered basket carrying only precious cargo

handled well, willing to carry anything with grace and gratitude despite how heavy her arms holding polished patina and facing

anything- that- comes-up-able

learning to now let go of any superfluous weights that good-for-nothings

disguised-as-everythings

once upon a times seemingly in perpituity held her down against her will or because of it is evaporating eventually leaving existential lesson

she is becoming the woman she’s longed for;

the comforting lover 

ferocious and tender,

unyielding to accept anything but unconditional love for self as others worthy of such with caveat no cruelty allowed in this house of cards that has battled blowhards’ wind fallen

the grown up daughter with shy and stoic beginnings who is no longer willing to be silent in speaking her mind over matters of personal dogma despite dismissive envy from the bloodline tribe

who still believes in pleasant surprises, holds on to nothing but faith in karmic retribution being real for both kind and nefarious acts upon any sentient being and will eventually show true colors  even ones that tumble from her own lips on occasion standing  by her side when all else failed

what was said with conviction despite minor teetering on occasion now is fodder for the reflecting pool

she, becoming illuminated, brighter with each full moon and sunrise knowing with each cycle of the days knowing that every moment has at the very least an inkling of light despite darkness knowing she is becoming this woman she’s wanted,  yearned for for decades

who knows she’ll continue growing

who knows she’s more than sufficient

who knows she’s precious,

who knows she’s rare 

who knows she is plenty

plenty enough to handle but refuses to be handled with any unnecessary roughness

who knows that her kindness will never again be mistaken for weakness,

who knows hat she is a glittering warrior queen and despite foibles falling along will always again rise 

she is becoming the woman that is plenty enough just as she is.