Blue Willow
Aura Thundera
deonii@yahoo.com

***

In warm seas did Blue Willow float
Riding in a gilded papyrus-boat
And the sea-fire that gave him birth
Fell from the prow to die on earth
And caught in salt-silk nets from
His hands where the stain had run
The look's feathers in the breeze
Riffled like moonstruck seas
In their sealed basketry-bowl
And the southern snow queen stole
From her prison, cross the sea
Far from the branches of the Margate Tree
Above, Tycho soars on death giv'n wings
Keeping watch on all living things
His life gone to feed the land
Osiris, lord of the river sand
And winged world watchman
The queen extended an arm tanned
By melting, torturing, tropic prison
Her dream and great desire
To trap Tyco in her crystal spire
And take from him his gift of life
To end an undying life of strife
Tycho's wingbeats strike the spheres
Shattered bits fall far and near
Catching sun like falling stars
And striking sea, the falling shards
Became pearls of magical power
To nestle amid a seaweed bower
In search of his voice denied
Along with his seaborn bride
Blue Willow fished for his pearl
Amid the sea-swell foamy swirl
And crystal pearls his net filled
One amongst them delightfully trilled
Thrilled, Blue Willow searched the pile
Of pearls from sea vault and file
The pukas and cowries at his neck clattered
All else was still--each sound mattered
With white hand he swept back
Shell dangles, made sound lack
And singing pearl fell in his palm
Soul-storm rage fell still and calm
Blue willow held his promised voice
For the first time he sang to rejoice
And of that voice of silk and velvet
Tycho soared and said "Well met"
Blue Willow smiled, and clothed himself
A blue silk robe from the shelf
The watertight box a gift at birth
Built of sea-wood and caulked with earth
Where kept his robe and treasures
Blue Willow sought a thousand pleasures
And sailed to shore by the Margate tree
Where broke the waves of the sea.