| Monarchs |
| |
| Look! |
| how each ivory-carved head nods |
| in the quickening breeze |
| exclusive beckon |
| to black-veined |
| Royalty |
| |
| Come, |
| linger from your ballet |
| gravid ones |
| beside the purple surf— |
| linger |
| with delicate wings |
| pulsing |
| beneath the milkweed leaf . . . |
| |
| Now Watch! |
| how quickly |
| the spun jade- |
| cases |
| release |
| the sleepy noble children |
| . . . those who once dined |
| so greedily |
| upon the white-sand |
| Jewel |
| |
| And See |
| how they spread their regal wings |
| to catch the sun |
| . . . Waiting |
| until they hear |
| the secret |
| choreographer |
| whisper |
| |
| Begin! |
| The Northward Dance |
| |
 |
| (Copyright © 2000) |
Previously published in
Half Tones to Jubilee
|
