The Lily Trail

By Kanani Fong

Feathered, red leaves patter
hitting hard the wind tossed cliffs.
Ravens caw and scatter,
flying above the lily-trail to a skiff we sailed
curling ‘round a penny moon.

Swift winds sang the scent of lilies,
in one melodious and howling riff,
cutting through blue waves hewn
under skies of pearls and azure.

We wove our hands and lost the measure
of the breadth between the stars,
locks flying, sails pushed taut
swept along with swooning pleasure.

Venus lit our endeavor
with marigolds and saffron light,
kneading our two hearts forever,
gliding on the ravens caw.

But when you died
...pebbles swept away the shells.

Build no more driftwood spires
for the bonfires that kept us warm,
and sail no more on gales that slice
the single soul left back on shore.

Let set unused, nets for fishing
Build small fires just for one,
Leave the marigolds untouched in fields
And take no more wonder in the stars.

Feathered, red leaves patter
hitting hard the wind tossed cliffs,
as I climb past the lily trail
ravens caw and scatter.

2004