The sun sneaks slowly above
	the eastern roofs and trees,
Deciding whether to awaken
	or linger awhile in sweet sleep,

And, as he has ever done, rises
	and releases from shadowy caves
Skinny long-legged women
	and their canine companions,

Who omnipresently patrol the town
	like floating spirits, migrating
Among streets and walkways
	their delicate feet skating on air,

Whispering quietly on meeting,
	planning routes and stratagems,
While lupine warriors of varied visage
	nose the air for scents of danger,

Until the sun, aloft from his nocturnal bed,
	shrugs away his sleepiness, and
Stretches his arms into mighty rays
	of blazing heat and light

Driving away the vigilant guardians
	of morning's first light, to vanish
In the coolness of their dark caverns
	waiting for the sun to rise once more.

Photo by Yury Nikolaev, 
courtesy of Shutterstock.