New Life, New Day // Sample Chapter

New Life, New Day by Ashlee Craft

Before the New Life

reaching backwards towards the past –

you must end one chapter
before you can begin the next

the butterfly must shed the caterpillar’s skin
before it can fly

the sun must set
before it can rise again

the night must end
before the day begins

the fear must leave
before potential can enter

the seed must grow
before the blooms appear

you must leave the past behind
before you can embrace the future

& I, like the sunshine, must move on
take a step forwards
before the new life can begin
New

watching the sunrise for the very first time / & freeing the souls captured in the night / I watched the first drops of rain splatter on the dry cracked earth

the dove above me calls / buzzing sound of traffic in the city distance / I feel the beating of the wings of the green dragonfly matching the beating of my heart / looking into the cloudless blue sky another dove joins in harmony flying free amongst the clouds / as I set out to contemplate what is meant to be

the trees rustle their arms in the distance cheering for the breeze to rush by them invigorating & true / safe & sound wrapped up in their warm embraces covered by the sacredness of earth safe safe safe gentle amongst my sisters & brothers / blanketed by the sun but shaded by the trees reverently I regard the spectacle of discovering the destiny of life & friendship / happiness surrounding me, conducting the orchestra of the meadows / flowers dancing in time with the breeze

& I dance with them
Sunrise

waking up to the golden glow of
morning shining &
sparkling
thru my curtains
a brand new day
it’s just the
beginning

eyes bleary & half-closed
in the sacred moments
after a good dream has ended
& you haven’t fully
remembered
reality yet

parting the heaviness of the
blinds & squinting
at the bright fresh morning
the sun
a golden yellow ball
clouds surrounding it
reflecting back the colors
thru the mist upon the glass

opening the window
exhilarated exhilarating
breathing in a full breath
of fresh misty morning air
the day is so filled with
promises
& possibilities
it’s a canvas just waiting to be painted
& you are the artist
paint the morning
with all of your favorite colors
– you are the artist
Build Your Parachute On the Way Down

divest in the dangling & daring adventures & throw the ship out & away from the safe harbor & build your parachute on the way down / do not be afraid to fly / divert your believing eyes into the magical light of the sun’s rays hugging you close / the warm cloak of night like a tent blanket to keep you safe & warm / the new life awaits you / do not be afraid to face it / do not be afraid to fly

the sun doesn’t hesitate to rise on the horizon / the stars don’t hesitate to shine in the sky / the breeze doesn’t hesitate to blow thru the meadows / the flowers don’t hesitate to bloom in the spring / the rain doesn’t wait to fall upon the ground / the shooting stars don’t wait to soar / what are you waiting for?

dance in the delightful deluge of happiness like a monsoon, marvelous & majestic & magical / the royal blue & gray mountains are behind you / you’ve reached the top on your own / you’ve made it to the sacred warmth of the forest once again / but it is time to journey out / & everything will be so easy for you, so beautiful, so wonderful, that it will seem as though it was touched by a golden hand & sprinkled with magic fairy dust / the world will sparkle & shine & everything will align itself perfectly to let you walk thru & experience each beautiful moment in full life color / the stars will dance with you / the music in the air will suddenly reveal itself to you / the moment that you realize that your life will only be as easy or as hard as you want it to be / the moment that you realize that happiness is your decision and you are only as happy as you choose to be / your soul will dance free on the beaches of fine crystal sands near the shimming blue sea the moment that you realize everything is possible

but you have to take the first step / you can’t just sit there & expect things to happen & dreams to come true / sure, you might be afraid to take the plunge / you may be afraid to take the first step, speak the first word, make the first move / but sometimes you just have to jump & build your wings on the way down / sometimes, you just have to fly

 

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