SECOND SUMMER
HERA'S CLOTHES ARE TORN OFF
SHE STARES AHEAD INTO HIM LIKE HE IS A SUN
SEDUCED IN HIS WORDS
UNAWARE OF WHAT HE WOULD DO
(needless to say, you were my sun)
POISONED WORDS
HERA MOVES IN HER GODDESS STATE AND
PUTS THE DRUGS IN ZEUS' DRINK
WHEN HE RETURNS SHE WATCHES HIM SWALLOW AND
SMILES
(you were unfaithful regardless of what you have to say
i am not interested in excuses)
HERA WATCHES HIM SEDUCE ALCMENE
SHE LOOKS AT HER BLOND HAIR ENTWINED IN HIS HANDS
STRAIGHTENED SHOULDERS AND A HEART LIKE ABSINTHE
HER RED LIPS SAY TO FATE 'LET THEM GO MAD'
(do you remember the first morning
i hid strand of my hair in your pillow case but
i saw the hairpin on your shelf
even though i didnt say anything)
HERA SURVEYS THE NAMES LIKE A RATTLESNAKE
AND WONDERS HOW IT FELT WHEN HE MADE LOVE TO THEM
SHE WATCHES ZEUS SWALLOW HER LOVERS WHOLE AND
SHE LEAVES HIM
WITHOUT A WORD
(all i ever wanted was for you to see me
not as your prize but
as something beautiful
you said it was my fault it all burned to ruins)
HERA MAKES STICKY TEARS SLIDE DOWN PERFECT CHEEKS
AND
WATCHES ZEUS FAIL AT MEETING HER EYES
GOLDEN CHAINS ARE UNDONE AND FINALLY
SHE GETS HER PROMISE
SHE STANDS AT THE KINGDOM ZEUS CREATED AND
THERE ARE NO MORE OF HIS LOVERS AND
SHE SMILES
STRAIGHTENED SHOULDERS
STRAIGHTENED CROWN
(i learned that i couldnt keep you so now i leave)
(if you love me, youll follow after)
letter from hera to abandoned woman || e.s.
