The Second Lantern

On a clear,
Moonlit twelfth night,
The members’ knocker
Sounds upon the door
Of Nocturna.

Daniel Hargraves answers.

Standing before him
Is a tall woman
Of Scandinavian appearance.
She smiles.
Nods.

“Hello, Daniel.”

For just a moment,
The formidable doorman
Seems to forget
That he is formidable.

“Ah…
Ms Winterbloom.
Do come in.”

Hargraves beams.
Far more warmly
Than his customary
Professional greeting
Might ordinarily allow.