Unicorn
Verse takes many shapes over a lifetime and upon looking through my teenage children's packed-away artwork, I found this one story that I scribbled on a piece of paper soon after my son was born. How amazing to discover this treasure that reminds me of such fun moments, inspired by young motherhood, storytelling and playful days. I remember reading this verse to my kids many times, likely inspired by the hundreds of children's stories which we read nightly, however now I recognize my verse has the same rhythm as our favorite Rupert Bear rhyme books that my father passed down from his own childhood. Almost fifteen years later, unicorns represent many interpretation connecting an array of serious and laughable meanings. Read this with folly and fun, with a storybook sense, the simple innocence of magic and imagination. Let it see your smile if just for a moment. How fun such rediscovered treasures become.
For my children Makenna and Lucas -
Unicorn
One morning bright, and perfect born,
As trees still stood, and dew still worn,
A young man woke, from dreamland torn,
He thought he heard a unicorn.
Sweet sorrowed sounds, from whispered songs,
Crept through the morn, and all along,
The young man sensed something was wrong;
Her song so close did not belong.
Already with shoes, shirt, shorts on,
He set on foot towards day from dawn,
And though the splendid sun had shone,
Her calls blanketed the forest lawn.
The shadows fell, the forest stared.
Each tree grasped hands, their silence shared.
And listening leaves left rustles spared
To watch below, the man who dared.
Two miles deep, one hour by,
The young man stopped to find out why
The strange songs ended with one last cry,
Enticed by calls he must reply.
The forest then, as if to say
It now was time for boundless play,
Parted limbs, and let them sway,
Where bouncing beams of sunlight may.
And with a sudden gleeful glance
Toward sparkling spots of sun that danced,
His eyes upon her fell by chance;
Caught and held, in guarded trance.
Her splendid glow gleamed aura whites,
Her silk spun mane blew feathered flights,
And lying in her heavenly lights
Her golden crown confirmed his sights.
Still looking on, the young man sensed
That joyous, caring; loves silence
Was readily shared in her presence
Throughout that moment of pure credence.
And though the forest knew the tale,
The young man, yet to end this trail,
Crept closer toward her sunlit vale
In hopes of glimpsing clearer scale.
Again he stopped, but on her request,
As she displayed protective breast,
For beyond her tail, in flowered nest
Lay one so small, new life at rest.
Wide whispering eyes towards him did scorn,
Then turned with warmth toward her newborn,
And though uncrowned, by golden horn
Bonded breaths that maiden morn.
As hours passed like minutes spent
The young mans quest had now relent
He smiled at her, each quite content
And parted from that day God sent.
CNK
