Arions Conflated
Modern poetry modern verse contemporary poetry contemporary verse modern poem contemporary poem
If you had hooves and mane—and god-made wings—
And if you had a voice that let you speak,
You might well be a flying horse who sings,
An Arion of miracles. Your Greek
Sestinas would uplift you higher than
Mere wings and wind might float, and maybe raise
You higher than just wings and voice might span.
Your plumes and voice combined might help you graze
The heights of heaven, help you touch the edge
Of glory with your wings and words. A sweep
Of wings and lines might lift you to a ledge
Unknown to men and stallions. Lines might leap
On wings with soaring whinnies Homer might
Regret. Your swoops would make a holy rite.
~ Phillip Whidden