The Purple Unicorn Poem by L C Vieira

I know you'll think me crazy, but I've seen the strangest thing,
it happened while my baby slept beneath a bush one spring.
It's something that passed by my eye, and made me gasp in awe.
It's something that I know is true - because I truly saw.

I saw it float above my garden, and brush the petals there;
I thought at first a butterfly just wanted to light near,
but then it started twinkling, and so I took a look,
with care and curiosity, until I dropped my book.

There sat in glittering purple, white wings held in mid-flutter
above my Lizzie, quite asleep, as I began to stutter -
'Wh-h-h-at are you? ' I asked the tiny horse (it looked like that I thought) ,
But with its head now turned to me, ‘a golden horn on top.

I'd heard about it from some friends, but never thought it true,
until the day it came to me, and then I knew I knew.
It was that perfect moment, when magic becomes known,
It's something rare and precious, a treasure to be shown.

I whispered gently to my friend, and bent a lilac close
and with a twinkle and a snort, on its hind legs it rose
It buzzed around a little, then lighted on my hand.
I bent and then I noticed, it dropped a golden strand.

A gift to me for baby, and so I thanked our friend;
Then off it glittered as it flew, as quick to start and end.
Now, though you may quite doubt me, please, stop to look this way
My child does wear it ‘round her neck; it's priceless every day.

It is the charm I made myself of unicorn and heart,
As with its eye, an amethyst, and shining for its part
To lead the hand to open it to find the truth is there -
a golden strand of magic to never lose, but wear.

We don't know all its powers, and yet we feel it's dear,
a memory of the magic which sometimes does come near.
So, keep your heart wide open, and your eyes, as well, to see
A Purple Unicorn fly by with treasures yet to be.

(1987,2011)