HEARING WILLIAM BYRD
(1543-1623)

The snow showers cease
as the luminous sun
is falling through
the stained glass windows
trying to search for
my friend Iris
to give her a word
knowing she is in the chorus
to sing a Mass for five voices
by William Byrd
but she is near the shadows
of the manger
as I hand my note
which passes to a stranger.