Phoenix's Dance: The Masquerade of Choice and Flight

The masquerade of masks we don, a polished sheen
That hides our truest face behind facade serene
A prideful ego's desperate pantomime for all
To see the role, not soul beneath the costume's gall  

What fuels this vain veneer of virtues we profess
That shame the timid into muted wordlessness?  
Perchance we mask our risk of living free and true
And peddle moral myths for those who never flew

Like fledglings caged, we mock the soaring eagles' flight
And say "See here, be safe, be still, avoid their plight"
For if they fall, we secretly smile, relieved      
That caution we prescribed was truly believed

Yet part of us still yearns to try those reckless wings
To know the joy and pain experience brings
So when they crash, we point and say "Behold the cost!"
To squash our envious awe for their adventure lost

For who are we to judge another's chosen fate?  
Each has their path, their purpose to create
Your fall may spur my rise to take a bold leap
My safety net could steal your chance to soar so deep

So rather than resent your courageous choice       
I'll praise your spirit and find my own true voice
Perhaps our lives converge in inspiration's spark
Your fire fuels my light amid the swirling dark  

For in extinguishing another's brightest flame     
We lose our own ignition to do the same
Yet hand in hand we fan each other's embers  
And set the sky aglow in dazzling colors

So I release all need for your defeat  
And bless the purpose that we separately meet
Our threads, though spun apart, weave one tapestry
Of wisdom gained through all humanity

Each loss and triumph ripples out through all  
Instructive echoes bouncing off time's wall
To catch and build upon another's test      
Experience gleaned from those who tried their best

For no success or failure ever stands alone
Each builds momentum spinning life's unknowns
So rather than resent another's hard won crown
I'll stand in awe at how their courage shook life down

And never wish for your fall, my friend     
For kindred hearts beat beneath each journey's end
Your soaring stirs my longings to be free
To choose my flight beyond security  

So when you leap boldly to your highest height
I will cheer each moment of your wild flight
And if you plunge to earth in blazing flames
I'll remember still the daring that you claimed

For phoenixes we are, rising from our ash    
Wiser for the burns and falls that force a crash
You showed me I could choose a bolder way  
By not resenting yours, but blessing your okay

So fly, oh fly my friend on fearless wings  
And I will strive to find courage in your things
Our loops may meet again in destiny's繭dance   
A stronger Self emerged from taking that bold chance

For in releasing envy's shackles on my soul
I expand the beauty that makes humanity whole
Not chained by others' risks that I was too afraid
But freed to honor the sacred choice we each made

Then win or lose, our lives sing inspiration's song  
Stirring courage in each heart where it belongs
The cosmos celebrates each being's highest right
To blaze their trail through darkness into light

So I release imposed limits on another's joy
And kerneled within, my truth I now employ
To nurture actions aligned with all I am
Beyond confines of fear's paralysis, I expand

Ever outward, forward, like a fern unfurled    
I embrace my portion of this whirling world   
Part of me may wince when bold ones meet defeat
But deeper wisdom knows their fall holds lessons sweet

For phoenixes we are, rising with more light  
If we release resentment at another's flight  
Your crashing flames could be my launch to dare
If I but feel the freedom you hoped to share

So now I see how loss can spur me to risk more
And how my soaring stirs the hearts longing to soar  
Our orbits interweave as each plays out their part
Inspiring others' greatness, Fire of Heart to Heart

Thus we need not lose for one to win      
Each victory and defeat reveal where to begin
To let go fears that bind potential's seeds
And spur new growth to blossom from what one needs

For envy cannot see how all are interlaced   
Your stumble makes my standing sure-footed in this place
Your triumph lifts this traveler to reach new peaks  
My small wins germinate the faith others seeks

So may we bless the purpose in each victory and fall
Knowing together we answer humanity's call
To lend a hand when one is shaken from their course
And celebrate each triumph leading to a richer Source

The web of life - none win or lose alone    
But play their part in cosmic currents unknown  
So may we reckless risk to ride those swirling tides
Exulting in the beauty however fate decides  

To lock another down brings bondage to oneself
But setting them free ignites one's own truth to unfurl   
So now I shed all need for your defeat  
And stand in awe at your wild longing to complete

Your timeless essence, like mine, forever remains whole  
No loss or win can make or break your soul  
But O how you have stirred me from my paralyzed state
By shining bright and bold, defiant of prescribed fate!

So fly, oh fly, my friend on fearless wings    
And I will strive to find courage in your things  
To honor the sacred CHOICE that makes us most free
Not resenting ITs, but finding ME