Collected Poems
British Museum, London
Aphrodite stands wordless on marble feet
collecting herself into weightless calm.
Off to the side viewing her
a young art student at her easel
holding upright before her eyes
a wooden rod with arm extended
her head tilted—
Suddenly, for those looking on,
the goddess transformed,
a living being now
that stood before us
from marble released,
her face tinged with ruddy life.
But Aphrodite, mere jealous marble
struggling to lure eyes back,
that had strayed from her,
her calmness shattered
with her living self
now standing before her,
self-aware and radiant,
her arm outstretched.
British Museum, London
Aphrodite stands wordless on marble feet
collecting herself into weightless calm.
Off to the side viewing her
a young art student at her easel
holding upright before her eyes
a wooden rod with arm extended
her head tilted—
Suddenly, for those looking on,
the goddess transformed,
a living being now
that stood before us
from marble released,
her face tinged with ruddy life.
But Aphrodite, mere jealous marble
struggling to lure eyes back,
that had strayed from her,
her calmness shattered
with her living self
now standing before her,
self-aware and radiant,
her arm outstretched.