After The Ball


from the ABC set Walled Garden

Flit Robin trembles stray spinster ears,
slumped wheat, bejewelled by dew.

Faded maids un-gathered, edge pale
autumn's sighed farewell sonata.

Crisp rimed icing sugar frost sprinkles
Sycamore skeleton palms, outstretched

in last dance dalliance
to winter's unhurried collection.

Stragglers due, the welcoming Earth
spreads her chestnut-rich ruined carpet;

loamsoft arms to enfold
those at their end.

------------
2004
edit 06.09.10

Discuss this piece in the abctales forum