Book of Epilogues II

Light pierced the curtain

and Rose did not feel at home.

“Where are we?” she asked.

The long-eared maidens

cheered, dashing straight for the door.

Rose called after them,

“Wait, you don’t know what’s out there!”

She ran after them.

Her front yard blended to light,

Scarborough had packed and left.

A crowd assembled

to hear Don’s water drumming,

and Rose followed them.

Citizens and journalists

from Scarborough danced in joy.

Rose found the maidens,

and when they saw her they reached

out for Rose’s hands.

Dancing in the realm of light,

Don’s playing brought down ribboned rain.

One of the maidens

said to Rose, “You brought us home,

we are so grateful.”

Rose answered, “Don’t thank me yet.

First, tell me how this is home!”

The other maiden

said, “Nelfin, home of the elves

can’t be reached unless

a doorway through time opens.”

Rose said, “I don’t understand.”

One final flourish,

and Don’s rhythmic song ended

as a light rain fell.

Bright droplets of every hue

colored the air of the realm.

The two elf maidens

cleared a path from Rose to Don

and when Don saw them,

a smile spread across his face.

He said, “This place is awesome!”

R.L.P. Auriga

Nassau County, New York