solomon-shaming lilies
glow in morning's glory and
border the path as it emerges
from the shaded olive grove

stopping me with grace as
sunrise rays warm my face
and dispell the cold night as
the slumbering world awakens

swallow tail butterflies flit
under sacred dogwood clouds
that mimic rapture's sign as they
diffuse golden hour radiance

honeysuckle perfume inspires
birdsong's layered dawn chorus
and i know the tomb is empty
as nature's love envelopes me