Aphrodite’s Lament
by Macey Lorayne Richert
they do not know me.
they speak of me and love
drips
from their lips.
they build my body
soft
one curve
at a time.
they give me apples
golden
cold
they watch my teeth
sink
into the metal
and tell me to be satisfied.
but I am starving.
and I think they have forgotten
that I commanded the moon
that I laid waste
that I governed spears of metal and flesh
that I exulted, unafraid
for all who looked upon me
loved
and despaired
and worshipped
and wept.
they think I came to them
gently
on a rush of foam.
they tell me to smile
gorgeous
they do not know
they do not see it
blood
on the hem of my dress.