Nepenthe Mantle

A Poem by Giorgio Veneto

An Iambic tetrameter spiritual, surreal poem.

From woods emerge the soldiers' brides
nocturnal birds' sad nightly croak
of gods' deplorable demise,
had vested Death's unfavored cloak.

And horrid scenes of war's onslaught,
the Acheron's conduct that streams
when mournful birds upheave the wrought
among dead scopes and shadow dreams.

The stratus travel 'bove green glades,
the flora waves where soldiers fell
avow magnificent parades,
and laurel crowns where values dwell.

Maids' constellation's distant Crane,
the stars of Phoenix prowess wail
and the Persephone's dark mane,
nepenthe mantle on Styx sail.