ax-wielder

I, like a vine
grew up around your
strong, tall frame
imagining myself
too fragile, too delicate
to spring up
strong and tall like
you - it's true, my
tendrils entangled you
so you hired someone
to cut me through
pruned with other
dead and dying branches
and piled yonder
to burn. But
through the flame
in spite of the pain
something new was born
ashes feeding earth
outstretched wings
carry me, freer now
than ever I was
and I have you
and your ax-wielder
to thank.

I will always remember
what I learned as I clung
to you, but now I'm soaring
the skies, searching for
another of my own kind.