A riot
of illusions
a festival
on hold
The jester caught
laughing
at what’s yet
been told
Saint George
his new dragon
a pet
on a leash
The parade
stops and watches
as minstrels
beseech
Cheery O’
Cherry O’
the knave said
to the Queen
As he stole
back the memory
of all that’s
unseen
While the clock
in the tower
struck one
final time
And the square
clouded over
with darkness
— unrhymed
(Dreamsleep: September, 2024)