Sappho's Sisters

SAPPHO'S SISTERS Song of Ulysess is this Sappho to whom i speak the bride of lesbos with the low forbidden voice who climbs the rocky mountains’ dangerous peak? call in the blue daughters of twilight to rejoice in the bursting spring. war weary are my men--- far from familiar arms of home. she , obliging, twirls her tantalizing songs and lyre-- lights my camping soldiers with the fire of her bold call-- vibrates them with darkness of unknown desires but she, unknown to me, orchestrates a horrid tune of tragedy unforeseen. sirens of her sisters , assisting, yearn-- ablaze in fragrant beauty unmanly to resist-- the lyre of Sappho spins the tune that turns the doom of noble heads the most valiant heroes desert their posts-- slaves to lush open arms that hold them ‘til they burn. Victoria Anderson Throop © (rewrite from 2012)