Ruby Phoenix Idol

Ruby Phoenix Idol
© Surazeus
2024 12 13

When sea stones apply purity of thought 
to how we map the spinning world with roads, 
her heart wakes from disconcerting contempt 
with vain hope to alleviate despair 
that she will arrive at her final goal 
on her quest to heal from childhood abuse. 

Focusing attention of sharp respect 
on essential force contriving smooth shape, 
she carves delicate spirit of bold hope 
in shining ruby to release pure light 
beaming from elusive core of its being, 
till its Phoenix spreads frail elegant wings. 

Young scholar browsing crowded jewelry shop 
becomes entranced by ruby Phoenix idol 
that seems to rise in flames from open egg, 
so he pays ten silver coins with shy smile, 
then carries it with care in busy streets, 
dodging wagons heap with goods several times. 

Setting ruby Phoenix on writing desk, 
the scholar studies philosophic texts 
composed on scrolls of slender bamboo slips 
so he can pass the national exam, 
gazing often at idol of rebirth 
for inspiration when he feels discouraged. 

When his father is accused of tax fraud, 
embezzling funds he collects for the state, 
the scholar is sold into slavery, 
and ruby idol of the reborn bird 
is sold at auction to old merchant man 
who takes it by caravan to the west. 

Shining brightly among trinkets and rings, 
the ruby Phoenix stays invisible 
till young woman in square of Samarkand 
sees ancient spirit of fire in its form, 
so she sets it on mantle of the hearth 
where she raises children under its care. 

Two hundred years the ruby Phoenix guards 
descendants of the princess ruling Turan 
in prosperous empire of craftsmen and poets, 
till gang of rebels penetrate the palace 
and young carpenter, fighting for world justice, 
claims the enchanting idol for his own. 

While his great-grandson sails Atlantic Ocean, 
the ruby Phoenix falls into dark waves 
and spirals down in bottomless abyss 
where it lies gleaming with primal starlight 
for eighty thousand years of spinning change, 
till I feel it glow in my heart today.