SHARKFORUM: OPINION WITH TEETH

i.
The train, a flume of white satin, flares
from an empire waist-bust of bead pearl-arms
bare as the wait is long restless, days dissipate in seamless
collusion and the tulle slip sighs as the dress fastens:
hip rib breast. So am I immanent:
possessing possessed.

ii.
Hardened to marble,
the Kore Venus Juno carved and garbed to last
a millennium or three. Identities defined by prop gown hair-Rome's
empresses
known for nose style and the rare appellation,
"Maconiana Severiana," scripted in those
popular triangles. Inscription
gives her the edge over
other girls goddesses
virtual ciphers
(stones in their eyes pilfered)
few symbols left to decipher. Only their images
remain-or less-Severiana's container adorned with Ariadne Bacchus-
revelry unrestrained except by the myth
of fixity.

iii.
How perplexed my people
were then-one God with many sects
fused only by assemblage of holy texts, temple
soon to fall to Rome-rejecting the once future messianic elect.
Nonetheless, they'd survive sans avatar idols nymphs
numerous as stars confined
to constellation-firmamental scars
of love war metamorphosis-changing
of the spiritual guard: girl to tree willow rain spider cow nightingale
before they knew-before it was true-that you can't
change anyone unless she wants to change.
Success evades ultimatum's duress.

iv.
The mathematics of marriage
a mess-two to one to two-are we now
part or whole? I bought this dress that sways slightly
to impress my image on the eye of an August late afternoon
slated for a provident daymoon that shows its face no sooner than
Bach's third Brandenburg regales the room.
As for these vows
impugned for their naivety-did you
assume me unaware of human failings cruelties
tendered mended unpent vented repented unrepented? I intend
them to last as long as Getty's statues crypts busts.

And if-and if this plan goes wrong,
I want to know it when-not before-dress
returns to worm, only hem's memory grazing the floor,
my form refashioned as dust.