This poem was inspired by, and dedicated to, Jane Yolen, who wrote HERE THERE BE UNICORNS. The poem won $100 first prize and was illustrated on the cover and published in the Arts Alliance of Clear Lake (Houston area)annual poetry contest.

The Unicorn’s Grove

by Marianne J. Dyson

I’ve been to a grove like that,
like the ones in the paintings,
or embroidered tapestries
of magical unicorns
visiting young maidens -
granting them healing,
r omance, and good fortune -
Yes, I’ve been to grove like that.

Mine was high in the mountains
a hidden grove as bright as
stained glass come to life -
Queen Anne’s garden
gone wild
with tiny strawberries
drawing me to kneel
and savor them like sips
of fine wine
tempting my tongue
to song
on a summer morning.

A dragonfly hovered there,
water-color wings blurred in motion,
eyes observing the comings and goings
of lesser subjects
as they darted
randomly hurrying,
in and out
of the strobing spotlight
created by the joyous dancing
of leaves far above their
mundane reach.

The aspen shivered with delight
as dew tickled and rolled off
their silvered skin
flashing in more shades
than the backs of beetles
glinting in the warm sun,
that like a mother’s eye
glowed in amusement as
cotton candy clouds
dripped pink on
the royal blue velvet sky.

I laughed with the jays
when the knee-high grass
brushed like fur against my legs
and begged me lie and roll in it.
Afterwards, I pressed bare toes
into the soft, rich soil
and inhaled the erotic scent
of life abundant.

Yes, I’ve been to a grove like that,
like the ones women dream about
secretly in church,
a place where God’s angel comes
and chooses them
for a miracle
personally,
and
if only for a moment,

a unicorn nuzzles their cheek.