The night before the day before my fifty-fourth year begins
The sky is a long fall up.
The dark earth a menacing swan
daring you to leave,
cursing you for staying.
Upside down May evening,
have you no ears? only
that surprised look
that you are so beautiful?
Outside the owls sit
for their portrait.
When it is done they will
fly into the silence
of spring’s little killings.
Fox at dusk. Pulling
change from a pants pocket.
The finished painting.
-detail of painting by Mary Winifred Hood
Translations from the English 
I have no surprised look that this is so beautiful, Jeff.
Thanks Ann. Though I will have to work on something that surprises you, and then you can take a photo of your surprised look. Deal?
Deal!