"Of Birds and Branches"

Laughing eyes commemorate the meeting
      of two wand'ring souls, lacking true purpose.
Tender-hearted swallow--how far you've come
      from behind the bars of your gilded prison.
How is your freedom in these ever-blue skies,
      wide and vast--swim you like a fish
            without restraint?
See how she stretches her wings, open wide?
She welcomes Great Peace, longs for embrace
A simple nest of no unintelligent design
      nestled carefully in a bough of the olive tree.

"Classical: Ophelia/Helios"

A languid  smile on thin coral lips
Slim fingers attached to a soft hand
--dangling from a delicate wrist--
Outstretched, reaching for something
    ...For something.

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Helios' chariot, high-riding and stalled mid-afternoon
Opening the Shadow's Gate, allowing a dark rest
     (on faces, under trees, behind villas)
"How sharper than a serpent's tooth
       to have a thankless child!"
Helios, the shadows are eating everything.

"Foresight"

You are as puzzling as a dancing flame
And I am the tiny, white moth in flight,
Twitterpated by your dazzling glow.
I cannot help myself--I am entranced.
It comes, then, as no surprise how,
Unwittingly, you pull me in with your smile
Like honey to the ever-starved fly. I ask--
Is there anyone who can defy you,
       deny you anything at all?
Carefully closer I inch to your brilliant blue light until
Snuffed-out am I, by your flame
And down I spiral, my wings a-light
Twisting and writhing on the cold, stone floor
Before curling up like burning parchment, useless and black.
       I have never been a good navigator.