ASTER

CHAPTER 2

THE COMING

In darkness pristine
And foliage of green
a glowing sweet Aster bud
Pulsed and faded
And shuddered elated
Then rattled with thunder and thud.

Lightning and clouds
Held the garden in shrouds
And the wind bent flowers and stems.
The trees held their own
against tempest full blown
But the storm claimed no one as friends.

As fast as it came
It failed to remain.
The omen of garden's delight.
At that moment was born
To this garden forlorn
A fairy of wonder that night.

Unfolding there
With the utmost of care
In a cape of soft purple down
Was a being so fair
With gold spun hair
And an aura that resembled a crown.

Like spangles that run
From the rays of the sun,
Her hair glistened in waves.

So slim and tiny
Yet, still all things mighty
As the dearest of things God saves.

By the noise and the light
had gathered that night,
The occupants both brave and demure
Of this garden world
For this fairy girl.
To welcome and see her for sure.

Her eyes slowly opened
With the blue of the ocean
And the glow from the flowers shown
The faces and smiles
And curious styles
Of the creatures who called this place home.

The toad stepped up
In his manner abrupt
And cleared his throat with care.
He spoke in a tone
Of an official whose prone
To doing the business of mayor.

"My pretty young madam.
The mayor is who I am,
Jowar at your service, my dear.
I heard all the ruckus
And the thunder above us
So I rushed over to quell any fear."

"Allow me to present
A few citizens sent
To welcome you to this very spot.
Here's Mister Inch Worm
Who has a going concern
Of surveying used garden plots."

"And our Mister Woolly
Stays warm when it's chilly.
A good natured soul more or less.
Oh! here is our Harry.
A snake who’s not scary
But never trust him with a guest."

"Mister Bum Bull Bee.
There's none trusted as he.
A soldier of honor and pride."
"And what about me?"
Came a voice from the tree.
"Shall I alone be denied?

Would it be a disservice
Or make anyone nervous
To speak my name out loud?
You could swing in my web
For something you've said
And join the disappeared crowd."

"We know you, Rouge Noir!"
Quote the mayor from the floor
Of the garden of flowers that night.
"Why don't you come out
With the meanness you spout
Or do you fear our new fairy's might."

"I'm most happy to see
You've all greeted me.
Even you, my lady, Rouge Noir.
I hope you'll understand,
I'll do what I can
But fairies don't even the score."

"A fairy so rare
Must always be fair
And always do the best that she can.
A fairy who is pure
May never endure
A wrong or injustice to stand."

“I say Noir’s hiding."
Said the mayor chiding.
"Hiding for fear of the truth!
If you're so bold,
Colored black and gold,
Step out to the light for proof!"

"There will come a day
When you, mayor, will pay
For the remarks you've made in haste.
You'll regret it a lot
So the time that you've got
You really may not wish to waste."

"I'll bid you adieu.
The first round goes to you
But my time has yet to come,
Today's not the day
But as I leave, I'll say,
There's really no place to run."

As she had arrived
She departed untried
Of the evil deeds she rehearsed.
All the residents knew
As the fairy was true,
So was the great spider cursed.

With silence unbroken,
All stood without motion,
a mask of fear on their face
But the good fairy knew
How to hearten her crew
And sang a song in good grace.

"Well!" said the mayor.
"We must have a care.
Evil may still be about.
And you, fairy dear,
We're glad that you're here.
So glad we could almost shout."

Said the Inch Worm,
"I wanted my turn.
You know two wrongs don't make a right!
Is that what she said?
I was dozing instead
Of listening to singing all night."