Unafraid

for Vashti

Her jet-black hair with golden flowers arrayed
She walked the reverent woods alone and unafraid
A passion raw, unfiltered, shaped her words
She sang to the echoing hills and chorus birds
Bright sun and shadow striped her honey skin
The garden’s beauty stirred such love within
For tulip and amaranth, juniper trees
For silk-spinning moths, industrious bees
For sun-hungry serpents so strong and wise
For fruit bats and swallows so swift in the skies
Such wonder! Such life! Just one thing to fear
An arrogant monster wielding a spear