Liz Dearden
Aurora's Curse
Eos breathed a moss of stars
into the orchards of the West
where she peeled oranges at first light
and floated skins full of olive stones
into the phosphorescent tides of night.
Her lovers arrived like shipwrecked sailors
bringing gifts of kingfisher feathers
and baskets of willow, lined with oyster shell.
Only one promised perpetual pleasure,
only one was allowed the immortal spell.
Eos stamped her foot as he aged before her
her gilded visions melted in purple water
she fed him figs steeped in honey and wine,
she became as ruthless as salt
and plotted to diminish him by nine.
Behind her cedarwood door
the golden cicada circles itself
waiting for the deep shadow of Aurora’s dress
that disturber of lizards and lemon leaves -
the insect’s drone replaces his caress.
Page(s) 73
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