Luminescent Succession

a retiring corona is interred beneath a brilliant horizon
a painted and surreal abdication of a heavenly sovereign
it’s a breath-taking pageant worth sitting still for
crosslegged on the edge of zen
                exhalation bound to the late spring warm breeze

cornhusk silken strands of hair
pulled along with delicate tenacity
the heavy drift of japonica perfuming the seaside dusk

a trail of sand dollars
leads the way
to the tide’s edge
soft swells and a glimpse
of blue-sheen scintillans
herald the nighttime litter bearer
of the dimmer empress

the coronation of the day’s successor begins

a heron leaves the water’s edge
takes flight and returns to nest
little fish in shallow waters
find crevice and cranny to sleep and hide
                     the wind settles
night’s slick oil calms crest, surge and splash
the rectangles of sky and water blur, become one
the accession and transfer of sway is done

La Reina Nocturna
is a luminescent curved fingernail tonight
                     an absolute, seductive
resonating ivory vane, beckoning
that waylaid mariners might drop anchor in dark harbours
awe in the goodwill and beauty of her shimmering court
take shelter beneath her divine shield; claim calm and rest

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