“The Goddess wept”
—- Amy Lowell

Amy, we should have freed her fluted wings
fastened to her sides, warmed her nude body,
dried her eyes. A goddess is weeping. Things
that should not happen are. In the city
market was where you found her. Men dickered
for her, bargained in silver and copper;
calling their bids across the dishonored
market air. Amy, we should have freed her;
her flash of wings, her shiver of saffron,
quartz and blue-indigo. Don’t hide your face.
Don’t flee along narrow streets
with the wind hissing behind you. These men
can be beaten bloody. We’ll restore grace
back to her. We’ll free all that man mistreats.