Here In This Place Today
V
Indeed, it is so far, far, far back where last I
Stood in sight of all her unnerving ambiguities...
This overstated manner inborn of an innate
And intimidating elegance.
The calculated deliberateness accentuated by the
Slowed turning of that stern head: a vague sense
Of violent menace that never failed to make
Me feel ill-at-ease;
For what fool would'st knowingly displease
This fierce countenance?
Even the uncaring Gods themselves were divided in
Their garrulous opinions;
Some demanded a sacrifice -- soon a kings invincible
Hands stained with blood! Then the countless
Assembled minions
Setting sail upon an opportune wind;
But, in retrospect...she never was one to give the
Old rituals but a passing glance.
Troubled I find myself wondering if it was
Just mere chance
That I should find her, alone and waiting, here
In this place today?
Those ancient immortals she always tried so
Hard to ignore:-
How she detested how they had held great sway
In determination of all those things which have
Gone before.
What price now, I ask, of the dire consequence's
Spawned of that woeful oath?
Was the soul of even one heroic life really
Worth the cost of that mirthless smile?
Oh the staggering magnitude of that deceit! And
All the long while
The secret assignations...you full knew, both
Of you, how, eventually, it would end. His boastful
Troth --
Ill-made right from the very start!
She, drunk with all the lewd ecstasies of Dionysus.
Thus it is, and looking upon her indifferent arrogance,
So unlike the distorted softening carved into that
Alabaster bust,
I find I am prompted, once again, to quietly remark
On what the inner-workings of such a sterile heart
Could possibly know of love?
For they do say the union of beauty and modesty
Is extremely rare;
Rarer yet the greater dignity required when enabling
Beauty to rise above
An imposition of regal splendour. I suspect the plain
Truth simply being she just did not, in all honesty,
Ever properly care.
Copyright © John Fleming | Year Posted 2018
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