Pagnotto, Dwayne

English

SWOSU Digital Commons (Southwestern Oklahoma State University)

Volume 2006 Issue 28 Article 10 7-15-2006 Return to the Temple Dwayne Pagnotto Follow this and additional works at: https://dc.swosu.edu/mcircle  Part of the Children's and Young Adult Literature Commons Recommended Citation Pagnotto, Dwayne (2006) "Return to the Temple," The Mythic Circle: Vol. 2006 : Iss. 28 , Article 10. Available at: https://dc.swosu.edu/mcircle/vol2006/iss28/10 This Poetry is brought to you for free and open access by the Mythopoeic Society at SWOSU Digital Commons. It has been accepted for inclusion in The Mythic Circle by an authorized editor of SWOSU Digital Commons. An ADA compliant document is available upon request. For more information, please contact phillip.fitzsimmons@swosu.edu. To join the Mythopoeic Society go to: http://www.mythsoc.org/join.htm Mythcon 51: A VIRTUAL “HALFLING” MYTHCON July 31 - August 1, 2021 (Saturday and Sunday) http://www.mythsoc.org/mythcon/mythcon-51.htm Mythcon 52: The Mythic, the Fantastic, and the Alien Albuquerque, New Mexico; July 29 - August 1, 2022 http://www.mythsoc.org/mythcon/mythcon-52.htm This poetry is available in The Mythic Circle: https://dc.swosu.edu/mcircle/vol2006/iss28/10 RETURN TO THE TEMPLE byDwayne Pagnotto.As I walk in lingering sadness thru the crumbling ruins o f the city I step over cracked marble floors that the earth has reclaimed for herself.Here and there I do behold scattered limbs and weapons o f statues Once erected to ancient Deities who ruled this land long ago.Though they have seemingly vanished yet their spirits roam these parts still.In shadowy caves their cryptic whisperings are still made manifest.In airy flights I can hear them filtering thru pores in the enchanted skydome.In hushed tones o f alluring laughter they speak to me, saying:Return, Return, Retum....then all at once their voices disappear as quickly as they came.With a sudden gust of wind thru the trees they are gone.After a deafening silence i proceed on a little ways.Off in the distance i see a set of smooth polished steps that leads to a tall columned temple.As I approach, the temple itself seems to waver in and out o f existence.Then as I set my foot upon the stone stairs it solidifies and I make the upward ascentOnce I reach the top I make my way into the hallowed inner courtThere within I see a statue towering tall in dignity and solemn bearing‘l is  she whose gentle warlike nature and tender nurturing love of the arts sets her apart in herwisdom from all others.Her figure is all inter-woven with gold and laced with ivory.Tune has not disfigured nor has age dare to lay it’s hands upon her blessed limbs.She is the queen of beauty still.There she stands in august majesty with her spear and helm and sacred shield.As I draw closer and look up she seems to smile ever so faintly.And tho she says it not....her very aspect seems to scream it, the words:“VICTORY SHALL BE MINE.”I nod my head in quiet acknowledgementThen I drop down upon one knee and i take the laurel wreathe that is upon my head and I place it at her feet.As I arise I look up....and there seems to be a single teardrop slowly making its way down her cheek.Then...as I finally leave the gleaming structure I descend the marble steps and turn back for one last glance As I do the temple itself suddenly disappears andcrown of laurel leaves is once more upon my headAs I cry a single tear.The Mythic Circle #28, pg. 55

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