
Aphrodite II
Aphrodite laughed at my wonder
when I constructed my dwelling
from the top down
with a courtyard in the clouds
and a roof in the soil’s breath
opposite all other
matters of nature: corporeal
beasts lowered their heads
in the watering trough
merciless light reflected
in their innocent eyes
as in the upper level of
a fence almost painted
the color of guilt before
the first absolution
was invented
heat from the hearth
warmed my heart
ceiling and basement
left in midair
air-conditioned floor
the robin’s chirp
just an illusion and here
I was meant to discover
justice and beg the sun
for a shred of logic