Here In This Place Today

V Indeed, it is so far, far, far back where last I Stood in sight of all her unnerving ambiguities... This overstated manner inborn of an innate And intimidating elegance. The calculated deliberateness accentuated by the Slowed turning of that stern head: a vague sense Of violent menace that never failed to make Me feel ill-at-ease; For what fool would'st knowingly displease This fierce countenance? Even the uncaring Gods themselves were divided in Their garrulous opinions; Some demanded a sacrifice -- soon a kings invincible Hands stained with blood! Then the countless Assembled minions Setting sail upon an opportune wind; But, in retrospect...she never was one to give the Old rituals but a passing glance. Troubled I find myself wondering if it was Just mere chance That I should find her, alone and waiting, here In this place today? Those ancient immortals she always tried so Hard to ignore:- How she detested how they had held great sway In determination of all those things which have Gone before. What price now, I ask, of the dire consequence's Spawned of that woeful oath? Was the soul of even one heroic life really Worth the cost of that mirthless smile? Oh the staggering magnitude of that deceit! And All the long while The secret assignations...you full knew, both Of you, how, eventually, it would end. His boastful Troth -- Ill-made right from the very start! She, drunk with all the lewd ecstasies of Dionysus. Thus it is, and looking upon her indifferent arrogance, So unlike the distorted softening carved into that Alabaster bust, I find I am prompted, once again, to quietly remark On what the inner-workings of such a sterile heart Could possibly know of love? For they do say the union of beauty and modesty Is extremely rare; Rarer yet the greater dignity required when enabling Beauty to rise above An imposition of regal splendour. I suspect the plain Truth simply being she just did not, in all honesty, Ever properly care.