COMETH THE DANDY LIONS( for Lori K )

the dandy lions
roar... "We're here!"
and so they are

see how they
surprise the grass
fill the children's eyes

my daughter's feet
run into their colour
a yellow of delight

they bring the Spring
the first feast
for bees

she adores the French
"dents des lions!"
giggles at "pissenlit!"

her father knew them when
he was as little as herself
the "Irish daisy"

hear her sing "dents-de-lions
en printemps
champs de jaune champs de jaune!"

we knock up a sign
"This lawn is reserved
for dandelions only!"

see how they change
from suns into moons
fragile as a wish

that one day she
would become
her self

her breath blowing time
away she now
the woman of today

At times of darkness
Stand in the light

At times of cruelty
Be kind

At times of hate
Love

At times of judgment
Accept

At times of wrongdoing
Do right

At times of hardship
Help

At times of darkness
Stand in the light

Forced from ancestral lands,
Paradise lost, a life undone.
Deserts encroach, sands reclaim,
Hope's flicker extinguished, one by one.

Fleeing across hostile borders,
Seeking refuge in shadows' embrace.
Home transformed to a crucible of pain,
Twisted fate etched on each face.

Lines of sorrow etched deep in their palms,
No solace remains, no beauty to find.
Only despair's echo in the desolate winds,
A symphony of anguish left behind.