ARTEMISIA ABSINTHIUM

she dipped her ankles in blood which first
warmed her feet then turned cold like ice.

she dipped her tongue in fear tasting
first of life and soapwort, then of rot.

she dipped her soul in thee who opened
ways of love and kin then ways of horror.

arcanum arcanorum -- trust everyone
just don’t trust the fiend inside them.

dead stars in night’s bistro, the green
hour -- fugitives long gone to ways of
Heaven or of Hell.

what is an angel but a demon from Heaven,
what is  magic but a butterfly or crony with
vile intentions?  

here in Couvet we sip the melancholy drink,
blue elixir changed to green with worms,
thujone and laughter.

here we are known for wolves and sin, for
love’s scything, for dogs and paint and air.
the Devil has grand ideas!

here we are kissed by the Moirai and our
heads served up by the charming
Henriod sisters!