An Afternoon’s Parade

There in the arms of afternoon

Enthralled by the beauty and bliss, 

Between moments of sun and shade,

When my heart asked to stay

Knowing full well I would without remiss.

Accepting with such pleasure and grace

And tempted to close my eyes,

Suddenly, I saw the monarch’s face

Painted in brilliant shades of lace 

Seated upon the pedals in summer style.

So pleased the breeze had not lured me into rest;

I watched with eye unflinched as the parade

Displayed the breed’s finest and best,

Each wing clasped to create a rainbow crest

As if some timely message they wished to convey.

To think that just days before

Nature’s silk had each one concealed

And nourished by winter’s store

In preparation to travel to a distant shore,

For this miracle of beauty to now be revealed.