Aphrodite Betrayed

A lover's wish
Is deafened in the siren song
between those rusting pillars
and through that burning door
lie contours of a former frame
the blithely innocent
and the lame.

Sedimental ripples
that wash the wading few
calm like an ancient welcome
on cold oblivious sands
'experience comes with age'
sighs the disillusioned sage.

One heirroglyphic handshake
and a time honoured pact is sealed
gentle aphrodite, bathes in bitter streams,
and marble shoulders strain on lovers reins
your avuncular call
a virtous cliche
no longer reposed
in the alcove
in the hall.

Stephen O'Toole

1985