The Juggling Dwarf Poem by Niall ONeill

The multi-colored parrots bow and scrape,
Among the yews and cedars now in cone,
Disrupt the autumn evening with their jape
Along the stretch of petal-strewn lawn.

A hooded dwarf in yellow velvet cloak
Juggling with lemons, apples, quinces, gourds,
Sporting an iris blue as a wisp of smoke,
Draws raucous cries from the great startled birds.

The full moon rises in the lapis sky
Rotundity impaled by pointed yews,
And dwarf, still juggling, heaves a sudden sigh,

Thinking that for the first time he might lose
A lemon, gourd or pallid apple, since
A jagged branch, it seems, has snagged a quince.