EPHESUS 2013

The phallus and fecundus were the Roman

currency he said, and some might say, not he,

the cock and cunt but who could ever be so

crude? He was outrageous yes but quite erudite,

in his snow white curls and plump pink cheeks,

and he then gave a dissertation on the

Hittite worship of Hepatu, the sun

goddess, in Hattusa, Anatolia,

and afterwards tried to hit on the sweet

young Lithuanian lass at the bar.

She was far too nimble for him. Oh yes.

Looking up at the Acropolis, Bergama, Turkey

The old gods all dead now they lie scattered

in the ruins like statues headless and chipped

deaf and dumb the gongs and drums and thrum

of prayer dissipated like incense from

the censer of time. Now as the sun seeps

down the once proud and immutable Roman

eagle fades into night, the hill burnished

with colours enriched, then dun washed to dusk.

Now the confluence of calls to prayer echoes

and flows within valley walls from near and far

Allahu Akbar Allahu Akbar,

God is Great! Proclaim Allahu Akbar.

Hayya 'ala-s-Salah. Hurry to
the prayer! Will the new Gods die in time like
the old gods? Pray harder pray harder!

Pray louder! Wake them in their careless sleep!