The Dragon That Breathes Flowers

Blooming

Your blue eyes stare into mine, igniting
a fire in my heart.
A little boy giggles while playing
in the floor.
I smile as I get lost
in the memory of how we got here.

Your love is somehow more
beautiful than I imagined.
You found me when I was afraid,
broken, silently dying
under the pressure of family ties.

You saw me when I was trying
to shrink away, go to sleep
in my own life.
When I was trying to be the healer,
you supported me
even when you knew
it wasn't my responsibility.
I couldn't see it.
I was blinded by the crushing
weight of obligation and guilt.

The truth is hard, smacking
us around until we truly get it.
Truth leads us to leave,
allowing people to be who they are
somewhere far away from me.

Truth leads us to safety, growth.
A field of wildflowers blooms
somewhere untouched by human hands.
You took my wilting heart,
planted me in your sun.
I'll be a wildflower blooming tall in the breeze.

I am a wife and mother,
a sister, a daughter.
A daughter with no parents to name.

I am an orphan by choice.
But their blood, it's still running
through my veins.
I cannot escape.

But here you are holding
me close in your strength,
always letting me know I am not broken.

I am unafraid. I am brave.
I am strong. I am loved.

You kiss my forehead.
Nearly a decade of kisses
planted on my skin by your kind lips.

Memories melt away beneath
your familiar touch.
I am here now, with you,
our little boy sleeps in the next room.

We often talk
of all the dreams we have
for him, the life we hope
to give him, to give us.

It isn't easy or perfect. Our life is messy
but you, you are the constant hope,
the love I will keep choosing
Year by year,
day by day,
hour by hour.

This life is not at all what I expected it to be,
but right now,
this moment with you,
is beautiful,
our own field of wildflowers.