More aches and pains from all over. The distant letters of faraway billboards look a little fuzzier than they used to. The tenitis is constant. None of this matters to the crow.

What?” I say.

He ignores the question. Just keeps giving me his black-eye stare. I shudder, that proverbially “someone walked on my grave” feeling rushes through my spine.

“Look. I’m too tired for this. I’m ready to go. Ready to start anew? Why must I wait?”

A slight upward twist of his head, and the same stare. I sigh.

We both know what’s happening here. A 30-year transformation from a deluded, yet inspired, rookie professional to a savvy, grizzled veteran has nearly completed.

But there’s still one, last dragon ride

to finish before the next life transformation.

“Fine,” I tell the crowd, as I saddle up, “Let’s ride!”

broken chrysalis

a new butterfly

opens fresh wings

I hosted Haibun Monday over at dVerse, where we wrote about transformation.