Bernadette Hall

DIONYSUS SAILING

from a cup by Exekias

wine slips
over the lip
of a red glazed cup

& there is
Dionysus sailing
nonchalantly

the woven sail cracks
a dolphin thwacks the water
with his fish hook tail

from the lashed mast
fat grapes spring
promising freedom

an awesome lover
great Dionysus
limbs loosed
in a slim grained ship

elegantly fit
to drain a woman
to dry black lees
& then sail on

From HEARTWOOD (Caxton Press, 1989)
© Bernadette Hall
 

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Last updated 24 March, 2005