“the moon” & “Dionysus” by Jawn Van Jacobs

the moon

i see you there, legionnaire

i see the pen you bear

like the tide i bring in – i surface –

all the tears you veneer

i see them hit the canvas

as you look up to me & stare –

i’m a friend a glimpse out the pane

whenever you need an ear

these craters upon my face

show i’ve too felt the strain

of being pulled in all directions

besides the one i felt most sane

so even sometimes i disappear

to gather my thoughts & fears –

but i’ll always return to the sky & listen

for i have too – been there

Dionysus

old God, how ancient

must your heart bleed?

i estimate the diameter of Venus

must be its size & shape!

your concord hair & anemone eyes

darken as you sublimely age –

like the bottles of ballads behind you

on the wine racks of Eternity!

your throne is a wild pub

where blokes come to blows –

over slurs of poetry

mistaken for prose

still you stand composed

as maenads pour another note

past my lips – into my wits –

making rhyme & rhythm flow!