Yusef Komunyakaa

April 29, 1947 / 1947

Infidelity

Zeus always introduces himself
As one who needs stitching
Back together with kisses.
Like a rock star in leather

& sapphires—conflagration
& a trick of silk falling
Between lost chances & never
Again. His disguises are almost

Mathematical, as Io & Europa
Pass from their dreams into his.
This lord of storm clouds
Is also a sun god crooning desire

& dalliance in a garden of nymphs.
Some days, he loves gloxinia,
& others, craves garlic blooms—
Hera, Aegina, & Callisto in the same song.
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