Ode To Sappho Poem by Heidi Brooks

the first time i paused and listened to your words,
i cried tears of lavender and violets.
you found me on that wettish afternoon, drunk
on your penillion.
you are gone from the earth, but not forgotten.
should you see us now, you'd be satisfied as
we fill the air with your bronze and honey words,
our ambrosia.
we are your daughters, your sisters, your mothers,
your friends. we are your lovers, your creations.
my sweet sappho, you cradle our hearts and kiss
tenderly our souls.
"pick up your head, my love. dry your sylvan tears.
no longer may you be stray, for you are found."
oh, entangle me in linen and silk. weave
me a down shelter.

my love, i am sorry the world has not grown.
even today they flog, whip, and lash at a
kiss on the cheek. maidens' love forbidden. they
cauterize our cores.
they have lacerated us, caged us behind
their holy trinity of grease, oil, soot.
just for the love of our muse, for your bounty
is our religion.
your daughters have turned into shadows and ghosts.
we hide behind locked closet doors, "a monster
that feasts on the innocent youths of the world, "
they hiss and cry out.
fear not, my love. for though your girls are tender,
there is no silence left to be exploited.
the flowers we hold in your serenity
turn to munition.