An excerpt from "Building Roots: A History of My Heart"

This winter storm

thawing out slower than it came in,

shivering in memory.

As shaken as the rocks

that crumble cliffside,

as safe as a slippery step.

Along your edge,

a swift fall

reminding me to let go

of all the winter storms,

the coldest ones behind

and, still, I feel warm in my skin,

fire in my heart,

humbled by my unknowing,

empowered by these reminders,

reminded that I can feel and still be strong,

remembering that as your edges crumble,

there is a landing that gives rise to the ground below.