Phoenicia

Phoenicia-
Just uttering your name
and hearing the sound-
("Phoenicia").

Dreams brazen in my blood
dark red like your skin,
your swarthy hair,
your twilight eyes.

Memories trenchant as glass,
unfading and unrending
that keep your love burning
an undying candle.

Like the desert phoenix
who lives alone
for whom beauty
there is no equal.

Phoenicia-
Forgive me if I am selfish.
Fortunate as I have been
to breathe amongst your tall cedars,
traipse your blue Mediterranean shores
and sail your fast ships of adventure.

Granted as I was the gift
to script your fame
in legend and verse
and paint your august beauty
in crystal.

Though onerous as it may seem,
I can think of harsher burdens
than to live as I must
with your unflagging memory,
which sorely teached me
the void
of need
and want.

Phoenicia-
I carry the torch that is you,
that burns by the glory
of your art and craft
and substance of commerce.
To what lands shall we now go,
what oceans to cross
or mountains to traverse-
to what worlds
or planets
or stars?

As the phoenix rises from its ash
to live and die again and again,
I must bear your destiny.
Waiting
for that solemn day
you return,
when I shall voice
the verses of our triumphs,
etch the colors of your beauty
for the world
and relish forever after
our tour de force.

Phoenicia!
Phoenicia!
Phoenicia!

Copyright 2009 Francis Don Daniels
All Rights Reserved.