Page Title

atalantacreative

For Botticelli

In his line a singular purpose, the contours
barely contain the risen Venus,
contrapposto, and Zephyr clasps Chloris
in elevated grace, his breath and hers propelling
Love towards Cyprus’ shores.
Lovely the auburn hair that embraces
in amorous twists and locks, knots,
and hides the sweetness of her most private being.

Sea intaglioed by winds and scalloped shell impelling,
blossoms tumble downwards, and Hora
rose and myrtle bound, her braid behind her, rushes
forward, the cornflowers of her gown
in triplets blessing under the budding orange tree
as ivory, olive, blue enfolded, the gilded beings
seem, within the trembling cloths, the tresses,
to be both earthly and divine.

Note: This poem is not in the Altamira collection.

Detail of Botticelli's Birth of Venus
Photo by Neli Moody