first whiff of summer

birdsong and sunshine
and a first whiff of summer 
elderflower sweet 

renaissance clouds

Palaces, bridges, towers and bells,

The river is muddy from rain.

No light is in these narrow streets,

No poppies, no cherries,

No smiles and no sunbeams,

No laughing lips nor kisses.

I cannot understand the song

The wind is singing.

These palace walls

Are prison walls:

The hangman walked by here.