There once was a day

When the season, in a transitional mood,

Offered up a morning draped in October’s chill

Followed by an evening enlivened with a more temperate atmosphere.

Naturally,

Such mixed signals

Caused copious confusion

Amongst the local population 

Who expressed their befuddlement

Through the shedding of

Colorful sweaters, adorable mittens and stylish hats.

Amidst all that discarded clothing

Our attention settles on

A solitary scarf

So unremarkable

It wasn’t surprised

To find itself forgotten at the bar.

After all,

Its worn fabric was hardly comforting,

While its faded grey coloring barely fashionable

And its everyday polyester far from chic.

Days later

The garment lay in a heap

Beneath the gaze

Of a stucco dragon

Majestically presiding over the room

From its nest of scarlet tinsel.

Despite the creature’s commanding presence

The abandoned scarf believed that it caught

A flicker of compassion within the dragon’s eyes

Offering solace for the heavyhearted.

So the scarf slithered

Across the floor and up the wall

Entangling itself in the cheap streamers,

Identifying with their disposable nature.

Gradually

Wrapping the ribbons so tightly about itself

That not even a scrap of fabric was visible,

As the scarf buried itself deep within the dragon’s warmth.

In such a way, the seasons passed.

Fall arriving with full force

Before giving way to winter,

Which, in turn, was supplanted by spring,

And when, the first rays of April light

Warmed that shiny cocoon,

Something stirred within,

Stretching and,

Nudging aside the glittery strands

With a smooth gentle caress,

Announced the debut of

A brightly colored feather boa,

An eye-catching silken beauty

Which now gracefully adorns

The noble stucco sentry

Holding court

Over all the indulging patrons,

A few of whom  

Might pause and ponder

“What an exquisite touch

How come I never noticed it before?”

Originally published in From the Depths

Photo: public domain