What do the dolphins symbolize,
tapestried in this landlocked ballroom
where ocean means wine or rain
and an admiral butterfly shies
from garden to terrace and back again.
An allegory of discovery and doom
in fifty rainbow threads, hung as
balance to the opposing wall, its canvas
of flora, fauna, stoic ancestral portrait,
with, in the background, the estate
itself, reminding the stranger of his
place as guest, intruder, possible plaything.
Wait and wander, and presently Mistress
or Master will appear, adrift and smiling.