The Blessing of Unicorns

(Unicorns, the heraldic supporters of the
Scottish Royal Arms, could only be captured
it was said, by a young girl.)

In a rich blaze of green
a girl sits, the golden veins
of her dress tucked between
two neat shoes like ballet
pumps. The sun has burst
in the sky, leaves gleam
like blades, and the grass
curls, hot and hard as flame.
The others have long left
the wood, peer out between
the deep folds of cloth.
No one foretold this scene
or dares to stay inside,
see innocence and magic collide.