Awaiting Artemis

Sky-colored lapis eyes sparkled as

Your diamond smile flashed round the globe.

Fairy-tale heroine, you grew up before our eyes,

Struggling to be nourished and loved.

Your leonine heirs grew tall

As your spirit claimed its own inheritance

Just in time, though it seems too late now,

And you stood firm on your own rich thighs

Against the towering pater familias.

Craving a tenuous respite from growth,

You sought peace, happiness even,

And, to our eyes too soon

You crossed over.

Meanwhile across the world

The remnant heir of Camelot,

Lancelot, Hope with his Guinivere,

Fell into the vineyard sea,

Returning with him

The jeweled warrior’s sword.

To you, mater dei, clarion, waiting now,

Lady of the Lake,

Mother in the dark and bloody womb.

Hold safe for us the cold and heavy blade,

Bide your time in this fearsome shift,

And choose wisely the hand next to wield it.

Wait patiently for the new heroine,

Amazon-woman, Arthurine, your namesake Artemis

To claim it in the name of peace.

Sharon K. Hull, M.D.

Student Affairs