TWO GODDESSES

The scene is a sculptor’s workshop studio.
Two statues confront each other. The wood is
Sifting fine on Goddesses of Justice,
Panoplied with sword and scales and robe.

One, from an eight-foot block of Honduran
Mahogany, shaped and smoothed, completed
But seeming naked, new born, her wood untreated,
Beneath her blindfold stares with unconcern

At her weathered sister, a hundred and twenty-six
Years old, a sky-upholding caryatid,
Paint cracked and peeling, storm battered
Breasts–in the end a hurricane derelict.

Half of an old pine arm the artist, bridging
The centuries, grafts on the new mahogany’s vigil.

(19, 5/10/92)

Comments:

I think poem refers to the Athens Caryatids of the Erechtheion temple. The beautiful maiden statues served as support pillars on one temple section. The temple housed an ancient wooden statue of Athena.

One of the original 6 pillars was transported to England in 1800 and is now on permanent display in the British Museum. Here is background on that history.

[John Alvord 12-4-2025]

->