Apricots Out of the chokehold of winter, Riding on the wing of a falcon, Over half frozen lakes Like Thumbelina on the swallow’s back En route to paradise, Travelling in circles on a silver steed, Hand in hand beside the lake And into the bay, Searching for the boulevard of the King; Marking a path to the coach house Under an afternoon sun. Fantasy swapped for reality At a long awaited feast, Painted transparent And opened to a whole new world, Riding in on a Kentucky race horse Far from the Derby Trading morning For fresh squeezed memories, With the lingering scent Of apricots Janet Reid january 2009