Advice from a Phoenix

Arzhia Habibi

Come and nestle into my amber-fire wings, 

Curly haired child,

And I will placate your fears and worries with 

Warm feathers and golden admonitions.

I am here to tell you this: 

When the darts and splinters of critique 

Try to penetrate your soft 

Soul baby-skin 

First, know this: you were created with two crowns. 

One -- at the top of your head, that point and centre where hair grows and cascades down to your 

Shoulders. 

The second -- in your heart, a crown which says nobility is your birthright and no words/suggestions/constructive criticisms will ever mire this royal heritage of yours. 

Second, hear this: those darts and splinters 

Can be milk and honey in your veins. 

So listen carefully to their flow from the sticky mouths of speakers, 

And let those words mingle 

With your own sweet, self-understanding 

Little light-child of love.