Heaven from Earth

Longing being an equation bearing feathers, shimmering

Suburban landscapes with grief—

Above me an elm delivers her daily announcements

Which I take to mean that I miss you, Leda

But do not wish you here

And pictures (wide open spaces)

Are to gaze through, not meant for breaking in

Besides, if you are so smart

What’s more important

The transformation or the transformed?

Zeus gilds the horizon, dividing heaven from earth

With gold and frenzy. Love does not call itself by name;

Sadly anyone with a panpipe can summon some

Particulates of pastoral light. Yes, I was a fool, but the daffodils

Looked so yellow—it’s a bad excuse

Whereas myth, a case of contrast,

Is both the thing and the silvery duke of a heart

My own song, notably descendant

Can only present bodies sore from leaning out windows

Remind me, what comes before eros?

I am looking for another significance, painting incapable

To marvel, without bowing my head

It’s not enough

Anne Gerard is a writer from Michigan. Before pursuing her PhD at Washington University, St. Louis, she taught middle and high school in Western North Carolina. Her work can be found in berlin lit, The Cincinnati Review, and DIALOGIST.