Page 20 - Contrast1992Fall

Puberty and Tragedy

Once Upon an unknown time
Somewhere stranded on secret moors
A view where only sunshine
Laid eyes through the sycamores
A marvel maiden with amber hair
Like Aphrodite fine and fair
Spheres gazing into mine of desire
Setting my feverish flesh afire
Her milky form firm with shape
Slowly removed my shining armor
And then took action against my cape
The virgin daughter of a country farmer
Gently lifting her to sacrificing ground
In position, the sacred axe fell
And without a sound
I disappeared from enchanted mound
The sun shouted loud OVer the plateau
And the larks sang a tune
I woke from a World of shadows
An enseamed bed met my gloom

John Earle

18