Solstice Poem by Nizar Sartawi

He calmly stepped out
from his golden dwelling
in the great Okeanos
as Eos of the saffron-colored robe
opened the gates of heaven
with her rosy arms.

He leafed
through the tome of Time,
and took a glance
at the charts of the cosmos.

With his Titanic hands

he balanced the aureole of the sun
around his head,
ascended he his gilded chariot,
seized the reins
and beckoned his wingèd steeds
to race across the space.
~ ~ ~ ~

O Helios,
Great Lord of the skies
scion of old Uranus:
Your humble vassals,
beseech your grace:
As you adjust the solar clock
to bring about the blessed solstice
let not your heavenly stallions
veer downward

and set the earth ablaze