Phoenix Time

The clock is stopped
Borne from the need to defend black bodies
it traveled thousands of miles
a magic bean
planted across the country
From Doctor to Professor
it set roots near the water
growing out westerly branches
over the community
to protect them
from the harsh toxic city skies
Until each seedling grew strong enough
to spread out into the sun
and protect their own ground
one sapling grew directly
from the roots
shooting rapidly to the sky
spiraled and circuitous growth
until it was as tall as Professor
but as a oung tree it was
tall and skinny
not yet spread broad
when one day a flood washed away
the Professor and all of the land
he protected began to dry out
as his sapling hadn't yet
had time to spread out
when exposed to teh light
many seedlings wilted and
the ground grew hard
but the sapling stayed strong
in the hard blowing winds
blown back and forth
being stretched in all directions by fate
she meticulously cared for each of her
own seedlings
protecting and cultivating
the ground
and providing cover when needed
until she began to have
a dense forest at her feet
when a reckless youngster
sick from the poison of
toxic city skies
danced upon the wild red flower
kicking it around them
unaware of the force they released
flicking flames into the top of
the now tall and grown sapling
who swooped her branches low
bringing her seedlings in close
and swallowing the red flower
to protect the legacy
and turn herself
into the Phoenix

The clock ticks again.