Emergence

Breeze blown boughs brushed my bare skin

Like gentle hands urging me

On toward the healing:

Of the Earth

            To center my wandering soul

Of the Flame

            To burn out the impurities

Of the Air

            To blow away the shrunken, gnarled crone whose claws are lodged in my heart

Of the Water

            To seal it

The final step started with my first step into the spring with a

Surface of glass

The cold, clear, crisp water rushed around my

Ankles, knees, hips, shoulders, and

Finally full submersion

Cleansing every inch

I went in a sinner, a leper, an exile

I emerged a

Goddess