Under The Azalea Tree

2020

Delicate amaranth petals
Of fair Azalea tree
Paint the air an alluring pink
Dazzling all who see.

Beneath mighty Herculean trunk
A man lies in shadowed bliss
Petals flutter, whispering breeze
He sings of true love’s kiss.

Dusk till dawn as soft daylight ebbs
Amber sun turns to coal
His melody a siren’s plea
Wretched craving for one soul.

Past the fields of poppy and sage
A shadow of a lady.
Sprint and sing with all his might till
he reaches the daisies.

She twirls and spins in joyousness;
He watches in wonder,
Shy gaze turns passionate embrace
Pure heaven-molded match.

Fabled tale of man and woman
Naught could keep them apart.
Fairytale of Elysium and bliss
They owned each other’s hearts.

A thousand days of rhapsody
The man fully content,
He awoke mid lustrous sunrise
To his darling’s ascent.

Mere phantom of a human left,
She rose towards the sky.
He weeped and begged and howled and screamed;
Powerless, she flew high.

“Promise me one last wish,” she wept,
As wings and halo grew.

“Serenade me from our Eden.”
Bittersweet tears, he waved adieu.

Beneath mighty Herculean trunk
A man lies in shadowed bliss
Petals flutter, whispering breeze
He sings of true love’s kiss.

Claris Ng (Class of 2023) writes because centuries ago her English teacher mentioned she had talent. But now she appreciates the musicality of ordinary things and treats the empty page as a companion to share the magic of the world.