RESETTING THE CLOCK

The lavender jacaranda petals
fall in slow motion, like snowflakes, onto
the hedges and tile paths. Night
fallen on the city, the violet sky, residue of
the day. With reverence
and in silence you circle round
the holy precincts.

This is as close to a fairytale
that we will ever come.
Outside the gate, darkness
is everywhere.

(16 May 2006)