Quaternary

He read aloud gently, balancing on one leg

then another with his plumed pen

held aloft.

A giant walked behind the pavilion

in a hunt for food to throw on the fire,

“Omega” tattooed on his Buddha belly

and thick glasses steaming in the dusk.

Mermaids dallied by waters edge

bobbing for bits of bread.

Smoke spiraled slowly through sticky air

and yellow flowers folded themselves up

as sun slipped away.