Saturday, 14 January 2017

The Crimson Virgin - a poem by Chris Zachariou

In a cavern full of chameleons
and green apples, the actor binds
the virgin to his bed made of silk.

Many moons and years ago
mama begged her to wear white
but the child dressed in crimson.

A priest comes to the forest
riding a crusader's rusty cross—
he wants to save the virgin for the faith.
Incantations and incense fill the air
but his prayers are all in vain.

Claudius lures the virgin's honour
to his bed made of silk and the actor
and the nymph sweat all night.

The chameleons and the river turn to
crimson, the scent of blood and apples
fills the cavern and the town begins
to wonder:

'If only she wore white and not crimson.'

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