Reverent                                                                                                 

 

white butterflies float and scatter in bits

of flying glass, tiny linen handkerchiefs

that shudder in the wind. a woman’s

 

chapped trembling lips flutter and spin

cocoons of song, iridescent in flight above

the canyon’s path.  licorice perfumes

 

the coming dusk when low she bows

forehead kissing caterpillar, shale, sage

and bramble toward the ridge beyond

 

where an ageless queen of hearts sails

in gauzy radiance turning

pages of night sky.