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First paint a field
with fence posts
leave a gap
then paint
some rosy apples
some green grass
a singing, sparkling silvered stream
a little wooden shelter
for the unicorn...
then place the canvas against a tree
in the field
near the stream
or in the shelter
hide behind the tree
without speaking
without moving...
and wait
with faith
with hope
with love for the creature
you have never seen
wait patiently
for as long as it takes
for as many years as it takes...
when the unicorn comes
if he comes
watch in silence
make him space
wait until he bends down
to drink
from the stream
then softly paint the bars of the fence
with swift brushstrokes
behind him
then unpaint each bar
carefully so as not to stain
the white and silver mane
until he trembles before you
then paint the field beautiful
with emeralds of grass and rubies of apples
with a tree sculpted against the gold of the sky
with the stream brimful of tumbling stars
for the unicorn...
if the unicorn doesn’t sing
it is a good sign
but he will gallop
out of the frame
away from the painting
and be lost
if the unicorn sings
it is a bad sign
for he will lie down to die
on the grass
by the stream
in that last moment
you may caress the crystal horn
gaze with sad eyes
for the faith and the hope are lost
but the love will always endure.

© Anne Lovejoy, November 2009