herald, the fire bird

in the east she appears
just before her sister superior,
announcing her arrival really.
for a few minutes one thinks
she's the star of the show,
can't look away.
beauty by associaton.

as subtley as she rose out of the darkness,
suddenly a ball of fire,
and the darkness is gone.
a ray of hope outshone by
hope itself.

tomorrow, they rise together.
closeness ignites and she is consumed.
burnt her wings from flying too close to the sun.

at last she emerges from the ashes,
following her sister into the western horizon
at a greater distance each evening until
at last, she announces the morning
moments before morning comes.
for a few minutes one thinks
she the star of the show,
can't look away.
beauty by association.