Mistletoe (R and J)

The lovers’ forms indeed were raised in gold,
As settled in the broken fathers’ words,
That through the years their story would be told.
At first the pair were favored by the birds,
Who perched on Romeo’s head or Juliet’s hand,
There in the name of peace allowed to stand.

Then came the day when there were no more wings,
And no more feet upon the metal chill.
This put a youth in mind of dismal things,
Who’d had enough of all pale, cold, and still.
He looked upon the monument, this boy,
And thought of ways to add a touch of joy.

Some winter leaves upon a wire he strung
And stole back to the statues in the snow
That soon between the lovers’ heads was hung
A shining sprig of makeshift mistletoe.
He sighed and smiled and gazed upon the scene
Turned wistful by his gift of love and green.