1.

The train,
flume of white satin, flares
from an empire waist-bust of bead pearl-arms
bare as the wait is long and restless, days dissipate in seamless
collusion and the tulle slip sighs as the dress fastens:
hip rib breast. So am I immanent:
possessing possessed.

2.

Hardened to marble,
the Kore Venus Juno carved and garbed to last
a millennium or three. Identities defined by prop gown hair-Rome's
empresses
known for nose style and the rare appellation,
"Maconiana Severiana," scripted in those
popular triangles. Inscription
gives her the edge over
other girls goddesses-
virtual ciphers
(stones in their eyes pilfered)
few symbols left to decipher. Only their images
remain-or less-Severiana's container adorned with Ariadne Bacchus-
revelry unrestrained except by the myth
and material of fixity.

3.

How perplexed my people
were then-one God with many sects
fused only by assemblage of holy texts, temple
soon to fall to Rome-rejecting the once future messianic elect.
Nonetheless, they'd survive sans avatar idols nymphs
numerous as stars confined
to constellation-firmamental scars
of love war metamorphosis-changing
of the spiritual guard: girl to tree willow rain spider cow nightingale
before they knew-before it was true-that you can't
change anyone unless she wants to change.
Success evades ultimatum's duress.

4.

The mathematics of marriage
a mess-two to one, one to two-are we now
part or whole? I bought this dress that sways slightly
to impress my image on the eye of an August late afternoon slated
for a provident daymoon that shows its face no sooner than
Bach's third Brandenburg regales the room.
As for these vows
impugned for their naivety-did you
assume me unaware of human failings cruelties
tendered mended unpent vented repented unrepented? I intend
them to last as long as Getty's statues crypts busts.

And if-and if this plan goes wrong,
I want to know it when-not before-dress
returns to worm, only hem's memory grazing the floor,
my form refashioned as dust.

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