Oh Joyful Day

Oh Joyful Day!
Carol St. Ann


There once was a rabbit with a story-telling habit
about a magical pink unicorn.
His mom made excuses for her wee bunny’s ruses,
in response to the other moms’ scorn.

“He isn’t a schemer. My Peety’s no dreamer,”
she’d say with a scowl and a warning.
“Best mind whom you mock. You’ll get quite a shock
when the pink horse appears come the morning.”

“You’re his mom. You’re invested,” the others protested.
“Our bunnies believe all his tales.
Have a talk with your bunny. We don’t find this funny.
No horse with a horn walks these trails!”

Mama turned to her bunny. “Don’t listen to them, Honey.
They don’t know of your upcoming task.”
She gave him a wink. “Do you know what I think?
We must cleanse our hearts for the Pasch.”

Though Pete wanted to fight, for he felt he was right,
he knew Mama had spoken the truth.
He’d been born anointed, his mission appointed.
He’d let go of the whims of his youth.

Before light of day, young Pete made his way
to the hill where the trail marks it’s start.
But his ears hung in sorrow as the wake of tomorrow
robbed the unicorn dream from his heart.

He felt so alone and lay down with a groan.
“I can’t find you. Please show me the way.
This is my appeal. I know you are real,
but I guess I won’t meet you today.”



Pete wiped his tears, stood and straightened his ears.
I believe in you. That’s all I know.
Unbeknownst to the rabbit, a unicorn with a habit
clung to faith that the bunny would show.



And then the rising Son helped the horse and the bun,
by rewarding the faith they had shown,
and glistening tears in their eyes turned to sparkles and sighs
with a happiness they’d never known.

“I knew you were real! I knew you would come!”
said Peety in unicorn’s embrace.
“I knew you were too,” said the unicorn to Pete,
“now hop on my back! We must race!”

They packed Pete’s small cart, but put off their start.
The two bowed in thanks to the Son
for the hope and the love that rains from above.
Something ugly is finished; something joyful’s begun.

 

44 lines
CsA

Written for the April 2019 round of:
"The Pink Fluffy Unicorn Contest"  (Christopher Roy Denton's Pink Fluffy Unicorn Contest)
Prompt: Poetry, free verse or form. Mention or reference a unicorn and a rabbit
The form consists of quatrains containing alternating lines of internal rhyme and end line rhyme.
* Pasch
From Oxford Dictinary:
Pronunciation //pask//
noun: historical, archaic
* Passover; the Passover feast.
* Christian Church. The festival of Easter.

Second Place structured Poetry April 2019 Pink Fluffy Unicorn Contest



Nominated for a Quill 2019
Best Children’s and Young Adult Category



2019 Quill Award Winner Best Children’s and Young Adult






Nominated for a Quill 2019
Best Long Poem, Structured Category



2019 Quill Award Winner Best Long Poem: Structured