Cassandra

It took me a long time and much labour to distinguish between qualities in ourselves that we know and those that are inborn and virtually unrecognisable.

I know that the queen can‍­not spare my life. A short time ago her glances told me so.

Perhaps pain dies before we die

Once a thought comes into the world, does it live on in someone else?

Something in me matches the emptiness of the sky above the enemy land.

Vain our attempt to evade their atrocities, long have I known that.

the indifference of the celestials to us of earth.

Once again limb-loosing love shakes me, bitter-sweet, untamable, a dusky animal.

SAPPHO

Point the way into the darkness. Into the slaughterhouse. And alone.
Keeping step with the story, I make my way into death