the birch catkins of beltane

the birch catkins of beltane

soft keys of secrecy

slip strung on the wind

cavort for the rising sun

as rinsed and rain danced

they yearn for the bloom of light

silvery pale

these bark-eyed watchers

bring ringed whispers

deft for the dawn song

of the magpie

courtesans of the woodland

stretch with a shine renewed

lithe leaf light

dripping diamonds

onto a living floor

beneath the glint

and glow

roots of nurture

weave a patient community

with downy fingered ties