I’m thankful for doors that slammed shut and to everyone who swallowed the key. I’m happy plans fell apart like crumbling leaves in the wind. I’m grateful that missed opportunities slipped through my fingers as if they never existed. Every path I take is long- I own those side streets as if I built them. I let the sun wrap its arms around me without judging my shadow for falling behind- I tell it to take its time to catch up. I sprawl my palms out against the earth in knowing that it’s nothing but a temple for my spirit to roam- it’s a placeholder until my body decides to give out. I stain my palms blue from picking up handfuls of marigolds, and think about how long the bloom takes. Watching each stem crack through the center as they stretch their arms out to welcome spring. It’s worth the wait. They never question if they’re on time, they simple arrive. And just like them, I’ll wander wherever the compass rose leads me. Blooming in my own season- I’ll soak through every summer until my pores are fed with sunlight and plunge through winter to hide away. Like the leaves, I’ll let go of everything that doesn’t serve me in autumn drear and bloom in spring. -AMT ©️