Photo by Wellensittich on Pixabay

All the mortals quietly rest
after the delightful day
of the scorching sun
withering

In this nocturnal stillness
the breeze touches
her body gently

Queen of the night
enters graciously

A face adorned
with the trims
of high collars
in the shadow
of rouge

With her long neck
of the sigmoid
glancing up
the moon
radiant

Begins the night of
the magic flute
with majestic aria
of her own

her silky delicate fascia
proclaims her throne
in the moonlight

her sensual fragrance
fills in the atmosphere
to attract admirers
only for the night

in Epilogue
to close

her tales

*    *   *

Every summer, a white elegance, Queen of the night, dominates in our garden with her fragrant blossoms. Originally, she was Papa’s plant in Japan. After his funeral, I took a piece off the plant and secretly brought it to the States. I always feel she has human-like spirits. During the summer, I enjoy the songs of spirits, commemorating Papa and Patrick, whose birthday and memorial were both in July.

Queen of the night is sometimes referred to as a desert night-blooming cactus, Epiphyllum oxypetalum, South America. The flower is one of the largest among the cacti family. Its fragrance attracts moths during the nights for its pollination. It lasts only a single night and wilts before dawn.