~MARK CONWAY~

ORPHEUS SPEAKS

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I saved you.  I wanted you more
than before, more
than this lord,
the one who holds
you now. 
                 What’s
he got down
there—heifers trussed
for the altar, cheap candles, and you,
       in effigy
to yourself?

Don’t you know
I saved you
       more dying?  You think
I was weak, hungry
for your pale body —
that I couldn’t
keep from staring at you? 

              Listen.
Before I looked
I knew I could have you.
             But you can’t ask me
to bring you back,
                not after
I’ve seen what it’s like, going
down there.

© by Mark Conway