...and so, the Wind was Born was originally meant to be a book of love poems, but as the book began to evolve on its own, it became about the healing aspects of love and the many shapes that love takes. The main character, based on me (a queer genderfluid poet and artist healing from their trauma), discovers that they are wind and wonders what type of wind they are. This character begins to think about how the wind might also be Mon Coeur, because they feel the wind around them every time Mon Coeur is near. At first the two wind characters are learning who they are outside of their trauma, but the character based on me and my experiences is struggling to let go of the past and searching the present for love. It takes this character a while to get past the desire and need to be accepted by others and to feel validated. However, my character thinks they destroy everything in their path--especially love-- because they fear not being good enough or strong enough or loving enough, but after many tries comes to find that she/he is more than the wind--they are love and it is important to free themself. They discover who they really are beyond titles. It is by stripping away titles to find that there is something much deeper and more powerful than romance, but friendship and sangha. The trials and tribulations of the two characters show us how love not only heals two people in a relationship but can extend beyond self and couples, but into family and community. Which allows my character to eventually discuss their desire to help heal the world around them through love, friendship, community, and connection. This book of poetry shows us how love is an ouroboros, constantly reshaping our love for ourselves and others and making room for more-it is limitless and ineffable. It shows us how we are all connected and that love of self is love for others, and vice versa. Mon Coeur teaches my character that love is how we survive and strive through the liminal. She teaches me that endings are beginnings, and that life has just begun.