A La Sappho Poem by RIC BASTASA

was it she who lives
on an island
alone whose desires


flow like a river
and yet the pain
persists
on every

rock that blocks
its rush towards
the sea where

her lover
on almond eyes
and tissue soft


fingers await
her to be
subdued by the
strength

of her touch
and kisses
that glow with
sapphire fire
this a la

sappho form
of love
woman to woman
grace to grace
limb to limb
until

all her desires
are lost
when the fire
of her womanly
form

subsides
between the
skinny arms
of her

beloved naked
facing her
with nothing
but fresh flowers
covering
her hair