The girl with the Phoenix Tattoo

We snuck off to the races, 

post work, an evening affair, 

braving the summer heat, 

threatening to roast us alive

we survive by taking shelter

we swelter, and drink a bubble or two

as the evening progresses, we parade

around the ring, time to imbibe 

stalls and tiny repurposed vehicles, 

we settle at last upon cocktails, 

and we stand for a while sharing tales 

with the delightful Emma, a fighter, 

a phoenix tattoo inked above her heart 

a reminder of her power, of her start 

and how far she has come, no sprint, 

this was a marathon, a gallop, the imprint 

reminds her of her rise from the ashes 

to her children, she’s a star, as she ushers 

a new life, a better way to be, 

she gave them a legacy, 

a salutary story, that could have been you or I, 

but now she smiles as we say goodbye.