Bookworm

Kath - 9.18.12

bite back
the ink between your teeth, streaming
brick crust around the corners
salve and bandage, Hermes attend
mauve eyes, split lip, chipped tooth.

fight back the tears, speak
as Tiresias can, do no wrong — you
are the Sappho's of this world, the dreamers, the Daedalus, the stars. in space
they can see your eyes shine worlds beyond dreaming
Kleio comes to you soft as sheets.

you are the Orpheus, broke from song
to coax tears before Hades, Persephone weeps —
you are Atlanta, swift of foot, speeding onwards —
you leap beyond their scorn

speak not of words, of sticks,
of stones torn long from graceless fingers, no
sing loud Cassandra, your future is bright
and Eris cannot touch you between these shelves.