Aphrodite In A Burqa

 

They entered a bakery

she in a short sun dress

with fragile straps

he with bare shoulders

beard neatly trimmed

a muscled blacksmith

shown through the door

by her unwitting son

 

Aphrodite shopping

     bare legs

           Cretan sandals

married to Hephaestus?

out to buy pastries

golden skin

jewel gleaming 

on her neck

recognized too late

by Aeneas

         *** 

 

 

Long ago  

 

I gave her ear-rings    silver pendants

she has not worn them

 

does she keep them

will she wear them?                       I remember the shape of

perhaps she'll wear them to a party                her swollen nipple

perhaps to look a little arty

or she may think them tarty                                           I remember the color

or will she wear them                                                     of her eyes of her hair

and nothing else                                                             I remember everything

she may keep them handy                                              she gave me even this

 in her drawer

with several scarves                                        despair

only put back     never selected

 

if she wears them

will I notice?

 

if she wears them.

 

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                              copyright © Dick Russell, 2016, 2024