I once heard of a legend, whispered by the warm summer wind
She found carved on cliff walls by the ancients in a canyon vast and red rimmed
They had chiseled their message in symbols, longing to leave us with clues
Knowing if we could translate them we’d benefit from distant news
Oh, it tells of a time that is coming, when the land will shudder, then rest
The earth will tilt on her axis and the sun will rise in the west
‘Twas no proof of the legend she spoke of, and the wind can be fickle you know
Yet, it seemed as she spoke of this legend, it stirred memories from eons ago

So, I followed the wind to the canyon and hoped she’d not lead me astray
As I scoured the cliffs, she whistled a tune and swirled the dust till midday
When she paused at the base of a cliff, I looked up to see etched in the stone
The strange symbols she’d whispered of, that chilled me right down to the bone
The path up the cliff was eroded by windstorms and rain through the ages
Yet, I inched my way close to the summit, excited for words of wise sages
Struggling to decipher its meaning, the wind finally lent me a hand
Indeed, it spoke of a new age, when great change would affect most the land

I copied down all that I found there and gave thanks to the wise, noble dead
(Though some might be lost in translation, here’s what the old legend said:)
“Like a mighty oak lying dormant in an acorn awaiting its birth
From the ashes of death shall the Phoenix emerge… to soar above Earth
His talons clutching the blueprints of destiny’s vision complete
Brought forth from the shuddering land and forged with volcanic heat
You’ll know when the time is upon you, unrest will trouble the soul
From thoughts and emotions unbalanced, both seeking to gain control”

“True purpose shall lead to surrender, shifting the mantle crust
Allowing the floodgates to pour forth blessings afforded one’s trust
And the balance of wisdom and love will give birth to keen inner sight
As Scorpios gather together where the fabled Phoenix takes flight
Then a red sun will rise over Avalon as a cool mist rolls in from the sea
Shrouding the earth with an eerie calm, transforming the land by decree
And this land, long abused and neglected, will rise with renewed sense of worth
Together, in natures embrace, all join in to celebrate earth”

Now, some might say that legends have no place in this modern day
And a fickle wind, with time on her hands, would delight in such utter hearsay
But, I tell you true, for I scaled the cliffs (with the scars on my hands to prove it)
Though weathered by time yet, it remains, for nothing on earth could remove it
Wether etched in stone or in cycles of time, they rotate, spinning slowly ‘round us
And lucky are those who rise on each spiral, transforming with nary a fuss
For to master one’s purpose and soar above Earth one must agree to be wise
Like the Phoenix whose birth was revealed ‘neath the red sun of Avalon skies

Mary Elizabeth Vieira