The Palms

THE PALMS As dawn child brings a new illumination Among the palms are hints of gentle motion Their fronds now stir in elegant activation Like ladies with refinement: a devotion Their fluent gestures smoothing interaction Smiles bows and fans precluding all infraction As day advances so increasing breeze Lends greater life to trees and single boughs The movement still of graceful bending ease With strength and rhythm in their measures now Our ladies pair with gallants to advance The shapes and movements of a courtly dance With each increase of wind, zephyr to gale Their motions are more restless in reaction 'til branches thrash in protest at the travail Separate or clinging daring final fraction At the end they live the turmoil staying whole And return to temper tranquil free of toll Have these trees collective recall - eight days in history They were spread with glad 'Hosannas!' to greet a King But in less than a week to witness the tragic mystery When darkness enveloped the land, and all hope took wing Did they thrash and writhe to protest unjust, cruel inequity Yet, the third day, stand in new hope and beauteous serenity