You were so generous, my lord:

never stinted on palaces and roses

for both of your wives,

who may be by chance

had  the same lovely name –

how clever of you!

Because when flowers wither

and castles burn down

in the time of wars

and moving frontiers,

at least one of them

may be saved

so that you can return

to your beloved place in wintertime,

enjoy twilight in the park,

let the trees recognize you,

and look up at the tower window

Perhaps Laura will look out

and wave her hand to signal

that everything is all right

in your palace

and you may fall asleep again

22 January 2014

Grzegorz Chudy “Wintertime in Nakło Śląskie” (Pictures from Silesia), watercolour