Sight is a goddess (a poem)

21 Sep, 2026

Sight is a Goddess, parent of the Dawn,
And fount of Gods: our eyes discern their power.
Your Eyes dart forth like silver Arrows shot
At flying Deer from Dian’s bow. Your Face
Is lord Apollo’s, wrought in marble, or
Queer Dionysus’, crowned with crescent horns;
And here I sit and watch it as you speak,
Committing sacrilege.

            That flying Deer,
Transfixed by Arrows, gored by baying hounds,
Was fair Actaeon. Who saw Dian bathing,
A holy thing no man must see, and drew
The God’s punition.

            Must I look away?
I have been taught I am responsible
Not only for my Acts but my Desires,
And for Desires other people have,
As well as all the hateful things they tell
Themselves, but want to impute on someone else.

No doubt, having looked into your Eyes desiring,
I must be punished; but I love the Gods:
And in my Sight, you too are like a God.

First performed at Unicorn on September 21st 2026