A riot
of illusions
a festival
on hold

The jester caught
laughing
at what’s yet
been told

Saint George
his new dragon
a pet
on a leash

The parade
stops and watches
as minstrels
beseech

Cheery O’
Cherry O’
the knave said
to the Queen

As he stole  
back the memory
of all that’s
unseen

While the clock
in the tower
struck one
final time

And the square
clouded over
with darkness
— unrhymed

(Dreamsleep: September,2024)