Today I bring another poem by Athos Athanasiou (see here for previous post with one of his poems). This is a fantasy poem about female leadership and democracy. The woman and the man both set off to find the 'night flower folk'. But they go for different reasons. He's the romantic. She's the pragmatist, the leader and the fighter. She uses her wit to rescue the man and to make the case for democracy.
The Night Flower Folk
They lived apart.
And few the folk who them admitted seeing.
Their skills were great.
They spun the night flowers into being.
And they could grant a wish or two.
At least some held this to be true.
His love was deep,
for the most radiant chieftain's daughter,
Who climbed the trees,
so they could fill the well with water.
But she knew nothing of his love
as she picked moisture from above.
He sighed a lot
as he sat, pining 'neath the sheep birds,
to catch the wool
that drifted gently off those sky herds.
And here he formed a cunning plan,
at least he thought that's how it ran.
So off he went
with just a day pack on his shoulders,
to seek them out
through woods and cliffs and streams and boulders.
Until he found their distant lair,
and in a trench lay hidden their.
She thought a lot,
as she would climb the water tree,
of unfair rules,
like how a chieftain she can't be.
Her father and grandfather both
had sworn the sacred chieftain's oath.
And she was wroth
with how injustice had been written.
And thus she planned
to go and ask those far off hidden.
So then she put on her blue cloak
and went to find the night flower folk.
The sun had set.
And now the night flowers were appearing.
so out he crept
to steal some flowers love revealing.
But as he picked plants black and white
his body froze entrapped in light.
From house they came,
to see who had disturbed their garden.
And found the thief,
who could do naught but ask for pardon.
And while they would his fate decide
they bought him to the house all tied.
They sat him down
asked what he stole the flowers for.
But ere he spoke
there came a knock from the front door.
They opened it to find out who.
There stranger stood in cloak of blue.
She spoke at once
"Why cant I chief be, like my father
its most unfair
that only men should lead them rather.
And you who're said to be so wise,
Can you help me open their eyes."
She took a breath.
Then stopped and wondered if they'd heard her.
Then stopped again.
"Why have you tied our sheep bird herder?"
And here they answered one as three,
"night flowers caught him stealing we."
"I know him well
and know he is no thief at heart.
Let's hear his tale,
before the accusations start".
At this he turned a vibrant red,
he closed his eyes, and shook his head.
"For her I love,
I came to take a black white flower.
For that was all
that I could offer in my power.
And here I'm sorry for this stew.
You see the one I love is you."
At this she sat,
and looked uncertain for a while
but then she rose
and did he think he saw her smile?
"If he would your forgiveness seek,
then let him work for you one week."
"He meant no harm
and it was but a passing folly.
So set him free
and things will turn out rather jolly"
But here they answered three as one
"If he goes free, you'll chieftain none"
Her eyes went dark
and fleeting shadows could be sighted.
But then they changed
and now they almost seemed delighted.
"I know just how to thwart your riddle
there's such a loophole in the middle."
"See times move on,
and rulers shan't be kin selected.
There'll be no chiefs,
the next tribe leader'll be elected.
And it's not up to dad or you.
The village people will say who."
At this she turned
and with sky sheep herder now free,
went off back home
the rest, say folk, is history.
Back at the hut, turned one to two.
"I liked her, she'll go far, its true."
Read the poem and others by Athos here.
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