A Trail of Chinese Lanterns 6

by Michael Sofranko

I didn’t know it at the time, but one night,
I sent a soldier into the rain.

The whole country was a military camp.
The roads turned into many shadows.

Even the rising sun put fear
Into his traveler’s heart.

When he reached a palace one day, dancers
Parading, drumming in the streets,

Everyone celebrating under painted towers,
He wandered through the prayer flags

In utter wonder, lost in the passages,
So many miles walked, he had no way home.