(A Quatern is a sixteen line French form composed of four quatrains. It is similar to the Kyrielle and the Retourne. It has a refrain that is in a different place in each quatrain. The first line of stanza one is the second line of stanza two, third line of stanza three, and fourth line of stanza four.)

Changing form, wandering by,
bedecking azure sky you fly,
lazily drifting and waving
fleeting greeting to me below
from verdant pasture watching you
changing form, wandering by,
a lion’s mane or unicorn,
entertaining my muse and I.
You warn me of impending storm,
your somber attitude turns gray,
changing form, wandering by,
Thief of sunshine, hiding its glow…
day becomes Cimmerian night,
crying the tears you’ve held inside.
omnipotent chameleon,
changing form, wandering by…

Gloria Bostic – ©2013
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