One Poem by Darrell Petska with Art by Brent Skinner

 

 "The Oracle's Cave", a 2016 painting by Minnesota artist Brent Skinner.

The Oracle, a Maiden, and Love

Step forward, blurry visitant, and show yourself!
For an offering I’ll tell you what you want to know.
I’ve breathed Hephaestus’ fumes, chewed leaves,
spun a bone—fast now: ask! An oracle’s day is full.

Does your lover love you, you wonder?
By the very Gods, a maiden! Do you know who I am?
The greedy and power-hungry wrapt in intrigues
seek me out—such as that I pronounce on.

But love? That’s a caged bird loosed to the wild!
Where will it land, how long will it stay?
Alluring its song but elusive its flight,
love entrances like a will-o'-the-wisp.

Tell me, child: Can love be true? Can it be just?
Is it worth the trouble? Murky shapes aplenty
court my cave door, though not for loving
this pale flower. Scant love the Gods spare mortals.

Get back to your lover. Your answer lies there.
My shriveled heart speaks cold-blooded drivel.
Look at those who await me. If love you’d know,
none lives there. Quickly pass them by.

Darrell Petska, a retired university engineering editor and Wisconsin poet, has published in journals such as The Ekphrastic Review, Third Wednesday Magazine, San Pedro River Review, and Verse-Virtual (see conservancies.wordpress.com). 

Petska is collaborating with 

Brent Skinner a Minnesota artist, who has an estate planning and probate law practice in Wisconsin. Skinner's passion is creating works of art. A serendipitous encounter reunited poet and artist after their lives diverged more than 50 years ago.