| Athena |
|
|
|
| Athena, I really don't think |
|
| I could love you -- |
|
| your wisdom enthralls me, |
 |
| you can discuss |
| any subject at length |
| and never look once in my
eyes; |
| goddess of love and of war, |
| you hang both in balance |
| from judgmental scales |
| that you call your heart, |
| your bronze shield of
graciousness |
|
| shields you from unwanted
touch, |
|
| and I don't think I'd live
through |
|
| the carnage and pain |
|
| of winning the prize of your
love. |
|
| Protectress of culture, |
|
| I stroll your
apartment-museum, |
|
| your wintery Athens, |
|
| bewaring of gild-adorned urns |
|
| and dreading the sight |
|
| of my ashes in maybe |
|
| the next one ahead |
|
|
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| © Jon Bohrn (1998) ("Under a Sky") |
|
