On The Half-Shell

Out of the sea on rising foam
Venus emerges,
makes herself at home,

and the Gods all pause a moment to look
and admire and plan…
and their canny brains cook…

The Goddesses, too–they look and they see
a sister to them
and a rival-to-be…

For the proper attentions, there must always be
offered to Wisdom,
and Fidelity.

And Discord smiles to see this birth
Her job’s secure
forever on Earth!

_{2004 CL Redding}