She is a Phoenix

They set her on fire

To try to destroy her

They trample her

But she smiles through her pain

She tells her adversaries

From the ashes I rise

And she is reborn

Again and again

Naked and vulnerable

Small and frail

But alive nonetheless

And she cries

Not because she is weak

But because phoenix tears

Have healing powers

She cries and her tears

Mix with the ashes

To form her feathers

Her plumage

Of rich scarlet

And crimson

And sienna

With alchemy

She makes gold

From her suffering

Her riches are burdensome

But phoenixes can carry

Immensely heavy loads

Whatever suffering

You place on her

She will multiply it

Throw stones at her

She will only turn them to gold

And silver and sparkling jewels

And with them

Build a grand palace in the sky

That you are not welcome in

Set her ablaze

The flame cannot burn her

For she is made of the flame

She was tempered by it long ago

Like a sword

Like iron sharpening iron

The flame strengthens her

As she strengthens the flame

The flame will never betray her

Remember that

Next time you try

To set her on fire