Four Changes
Thursday, 30 April 2009 09:401. Midas
Stone, clod, twig, apple,
stair, cup, wine, dinner, daughter
all glitter golden.
2. Alcyone
The kingfisher cries.
On the gently lapping waves
Ceyx’s head bobs.
3. Achilles
Among the bright silks,
gentle soaps, and sweet perfumes,
a sharp, shining sword.
4. Cassandra
A woman’s whimper
as they drag a wooden horse
through the broken gate.
Stone, clod, twig, apple,
stair, cup, wine, dinner, daughter
all glitter golden.
2. Alcyone
The kingfisher cries.
On the gently lapping waves
Ceyx’s head bobs.
3. Achilles
Among the bright silks,
gentle soaps, and sweet perfumes,
a sharp, shining sword.
4. Cassandra
A woman’s whimper
as they drag a wooden horse
through the broken gate.
—1 December 2000
---L.