Diana is Roman for Artemis
(the eternal virgin), Greek goddess
of fur and furry things

civilization has reduced her role to
pushing pandas to procreation
and guiding errant squirrels
through open dorm room windows
in Greenwich Village, to spy
on liberated children
enjoying their liberties

Athena is Greek for Minerva
(protector of cities), Roman goddess
of knowledge and craft

civilization has reduced her temple
on the Acropolis, to a university
where the children of the gods
and a few gifted mortals
receive a liberal education

from a great distance
the columns of the Parthenon
look like the bars of a prison cell

a plebeian woman is up late
fervently weaving a tunic
for her son in the city
whose name will be remembered
whose writings will shape history

the tunic will be forgotten
 

 
[Back]