Jubilee

I


The day, silent with labor,
hastened the demise of dusk's calm.


Youths danced in the square.

Their soft limbs
coarsely figured
by tambourines'
frenzied clamor.

Shadows glided, undisturbed,
'cross tacit house-fronts

As the horned moon
began its lonely rise,

Jealous of the
fire in the city square,

And the crowds
gathering 'round
its gold.


II


Paper lamps swayed
left to right,

Slow as a mother's smile
opening,

Drawing a lazy arc
above our heads.