In the Beginning

Ryan Leidner

Then there was a breakdown
the volcano erupted
sending the Isle of Atlantis below
leaving behind the supple myth
to bring us back
it all seems to start in Hellas
but maybe that was only poetry’s first stage
writing tragedy into the Golden Age
can we just sweep it under the rug
along with your grandma’s ancient cult calendar
filled with sacrifices to Dionysus,
Hera and her heroes
If you follow it
Aphrodite will tempt you
as she circles on her swaying swan
while you watch her with your imagination
your neck craned in expectation
dreams of fathering heroes
born and died on Crete

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