carracci’s love

by Virgil’s twisted juniper trunk

and the Tower of Bologna

memories of

il Caroccio di Cremona portato

in battaglia

twin apple blossoms

with succulent limbs

Copper Virgins

sought by Satyr’s lust

let me shield you sweet buds from Pan’s eyes

but i will not side with you

you can not move me

i sing Virgil’s tenth

anna

she was an ornate fixture

on his mantelpiece of plunder

like the empty urn of Hylas

unadorned with garlands and wine

unmindful of all the empty spoils beside her

 

she waits

for the ashes of love

to fill her emptiness