"there were lilacs..."

there were lilacs that day
their heady scent drifted through the
open window on a midday's breeze
while I sat with her,
motionless on the edge of
her small quilt-draped iron bed.

we barely breathed as blade,
after blade, of tender grass
was carried to her for placement

each one offered like a holy
sacrifice on their bridal altar

then
without warning he fluttered
through the open casement to
take a narrow slip of pale, blue
ribbon from my daughter's
bureau....and was gone again

we watching as she wove a
sliver of something feminine
and lovely into her
nestling's cradle of straw...

ribbon, and
the scent of lilacs