The Host of Darius
You, who were a soldier
in Darius's army
unlock the links of armour
soft clash of surrendered metal
plate by plate
let it fall to the carpets
of the enemy tent
sword unedged by skin
as white as the milk
that froths from mountain heifer
brand unbladed
you are a captive
of alien colours
snared in silks
you who marched in splendour
kneel now
your tongue silenced
by musk and honey
small fingers thread
the spindle of your head
and skein your thoughts
like wool
felled by the rising
of your blood
by the stroke of strings
by the song
in the snailshell flesh
you who were a hero
in the host of Darius
grasshopper
|