The Messenger Copyright © Sally Warrell 26 October 2009

Iris, goddess of the rainbow
Her rainbow raiment iridescent
Her sandals and wings of gold
Steps down the arc of light
Bringing messages from gods to men

Fresh faced and full of hope
She is buffeted on earth
By the embrace of her lover
Zephyrus, the soft, wild west wind

She has things to tell us

Yet here stands Iris
After the explosion in the Parthenon
Of 1687
Under the attack from the Venetians

She took the full force of the blast
Arms, legs, head
All severed
She struggles on on stumps
Her garments a testament to movement

Can’t give up now
Can’t let the other girls down
Messages to deliver
The gods are speaking through her

Messages not getting through
Emergency, evacuate
Darkness, all over