Afternoon Leisure

Dusk blankets the late afternoon embers,

as stringed bulb lights paint warm palettes

over umbrella cafes of leisure conversation.

Hispanic rhythms commingle in ethnic flavors,

as cultivated waterways taxi fiesta colored tourists

under small arched bridges embraced by wedlock couples.

Amidst the variegated pulse of nightfall’s interlude,

on river walk expanses less traveled,

a veiled apparition is often witnessed,

a final vestige of twilight luminous energy.

Legend claims her spirit from the Alamo,

a fevered defender for independence,

picking up her fallen lover’s fight in binding vows of unity,

tragedy endeared on a plaque historical marker.

I wonder what restless purpose keeps her,

perhaps in vain search for comrades,

Jim Bowie, Dave Crockett, or forlorn love.

Or maybe, a quiet countenance to remind,

the sacrifice of valor, principle and loyalty.

I walk, until now,

unaware of the thinning crowd,

of the acute fragrance perfuming from flora

hidden in shadows edged with filtered orange light,

skin prickling with unease to impending courted presence.

- Mark Trubisky

Inspired by the Painting “Afternoon Leisure”