Vision of Sappho

Before a pagan shrine, a witch reveals the gods’ desire And sees a cryptic vision cloaked in her enormous pyre: The blazes have the wit of lightning born of rain and fire And magically filled with deep, eternal knowledge brought To life on laden summits swept by ancient songs of Troy. Her Delphic incantation saved the fallen poet’s lyre And came to sink intrigues inwrought astutely with the thought Bewitched on fields of war by many wizards’ spells or ploy. Men can avoid dark potions made of poisoned weeds, And erudite disdain from tortured debtors of the skies Ensure that passion-winged crusaders risen from abyss Can spread their handsome virtues over young, unruly seeds. They bring the sovereign power trumpeted by nimble flies Upon all fancies hurled to nothingness by thoughts amiss. The oxen of the Sun are resting under Doric watch And, suddenly, near Sappho’s ancient cave of dreams, the fount Of noble manhood births a youth whose eyes deceive the minds And souls of gods and goddesses. They hope to best or match This witch-like poetess of Aphrodite, whose high mount Has lured them deep within her lair, where Arne’s beauty blinds. In wine, incense and smoke, such truths Apollo’s priestess finds And sows bright hope and pride in Greece’s lustful minds. Find my poems and published poetry volumes at www.eton-langford.com