Delayed Advance

A strange maneuver,
Dangling the sun
So high, a pendulum
Upon the marble stair:

Cloud, no longer heavy;
No laughter raining down,
Then booming reprimand.

Thin relief nets now,
Draw sweeping arcs,
Supple foliage
Still fat with dew.

Yet, all the world surrenders,
Arms open
As chains of hazy cloud
Bow away.