Acteon, Song of Songs & Other Poetry

By John H.B. Martin

Diana and Actaeon ( 1603) by Giuseppe Cesari

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Actaeon

on the inadequacy of modern technology 

No! This was distant and quite difficult! 
Had you dwelt closer you'd have felt 
far less betrayed,  more comforted… (Less thrilled?) 

The smile, the touch, the whispered word, the gesture 
would have provided a more fragrant pasture 
for both our minds to nibble at, and savour. 

I reached out with my tongue to touch yours too. 
Somehow we missed. A kiss turned to a shoo
to be projected, and make contact - through 

this medium of distance and betrayal 
- of less than lust - of love's complete denial - 
with everything in you, that, once so loyal, 

was now so taciturn and cruel, if not 
reduced to ugliness, and masque, and blot 
where once a princess in her bath was caught.