Understanding

• Olive Parrington, Grade 12
• Poetry
• 2022

Kiss the withering trees that creak under the weight of ghosts.
They want to dance even as they are dying.
Dance with them, for you are dying too.
Take their hands, wish them well, dance.
Let your soul butterfly open,
let yourself spin in wild, winding circles,
let the windsong flood you,
let your beating heart be still,
let the fear in your chest take winged flight away.
Eternity, extinction, oblivion,
remember to breathe. I know you are tired. Remember to breathe.