Michael H. Levin is the author of the poetry collections “Man Overboard” (Finishing Line Press, 2018) and “Watered Colors” (Poetica Publishing, 2014). His work has appeared in Gargoyle Magazine, Adirondack Review and Crosswinds, among other journals and anthologies. He is also co-author of “Two Pianos: Playing for Life,” a concert and multimedia event about Jewish musicians in Germany in World War II and the power of music to sustain life and friendship under oppression (www.twopianosplayingforlife.org).
Levin works as an environmental lawyer and solar energy developer and lives in Washington, DC. His poem below was first published online in What Rough Beast, www.michaellevinpoetry.com.
Shield of Achilles
(After Auden 1952)
Peering over his shoulder
the goddess of love in all her melting forms
sees no glad world of giving
molded there, no inlaid scenes of sacrifice
or service or of modest
calm obeisance to acknowledged modes
of conduct, much less law. Abrading
the bronze surface as it sets, corrosive pride
coils, pitting the golden arc
of honor, clouding clear air.
Absorbing what her spouse has made
she shudders, seeming for the moment older:
emblazoned at the center
of the metal field a bulky figure squats,
sniffing the sluggish breeze for those that doubt
or might decline to play his
cat-game, batted publicly
from paw to paw.
Degraded from foundations
out, the house of freedom trembles towards the pit,
unmoored by shouted or implicit
threats infesting it.
The bulwarks sought do not appear,
submerged in self-regarding greed
or fear. The Botticelli
gaze turns gray. Her jealous hairy
husband sneers triumphantly
then limps away.
If you would like to have your poem considered for publication, please send it to klyon@literaryhillbookfest.org. (There is no remuneration.)
Calling All Poets!
Pamela Perkins invites poets to submit their work for publication in “Poetic Voice Corner,” her new column in Southwest Voice: The People’s Paper. Submissions should be no longer than 150 words and seek to inspire and enlighten readers. Submit your poem by the fifth of each month, along with a photo (if desired) and a one- to two-sentence bio describing your writing passion, to psp@hci-global.com.
