Stephanie Valente
in naxos
-for ariadne
-for joanna
this morning, i informed my sister, i am a demi-god–behold, i changed the course of the universe by adding cocoa powder to coffee. by day, i glisten under olive trees, just one then two branches crowned by golden gods of wine. i am reborn in an olive sun full of rabbit-fixed air. the nymphs braid my hair for renewal. moon-guarded, i measure my text backs. we sacrifice sacred lambs to only be born again under the rites of olives and grapes.
galaxyite
-after mary ruefle
perhaps it is elephants
who are the real witches
in this story,
in evenings,
they drink up water
held under a dry forest’s
spread of stars,
waving branches
at the waxing moon
blue night, purple moon
a prayer-spell,
the moon is alchemy
holding elephants
like garnets and glass
some things are more
sacred than gold,
i stay alive.
Stephanie Athena Valente lives in Brooklyn, NY. Her published works include Hotel Ghost, waiting for the end of the world, Little Fang, and Spell Work (Bottlecap Press & Giallo). Featured writing includes Witch Craft Magazine, Maudlin House, and Hobart. She is the associate editor at Yes, Poetry. Sometimes, she feels human. stephanievalente.com