staccato hoof beats

sugared tea spilled upon sand

glistens for a moment

soft green spring gives way to deeper hues

cut roses lay in sacrifice

along a garden path

petals bleed in the dirt

felicity wears a silken gown

count twelve days of paradise

on fingers and two toes

staccato hoof beats

on ancient cobble stones

red roan canters

through city streets

out the city gate

up into hills and out of sight

now is not a time of mourning

feel the soft breeze of forgiveness

“Let deeds, not words, be your adorning.’

5-1-24

(a Ridvan poem)