Actaeon Pleading His Case by David Henson

Diana Bathing with her Nymphs with Actaeon and Callisto, by Rembrandt van Rijn (Netherlands), 1634.

Actaeon Pleading His Case

Diana, I beg you, unsplash me!
  Take back this water charmed
From kissing your breasts.

Undo this rack
  Sprouting from my head.
It was the hare led to your bath;

My only sin was following
  The dogs. Why would you unfurl
Yourself in such a scantily clad pond?

I could sooner stopped my eyes flying to you
  Been they launched from my bow,
Resisted your nakedness no more

Than the cock the rising
  Sun. Would you prefer me like the boar --
Slashed and dangling at the fire?

You of all should know to never
  Tempt a hunter whose quiver is full.
What is happening to my feet?

I feel an itch down my spine.
  Diana, please! before the dogs
Scent what I become.

David Henson

David Henson and his wife live in Peoria, Illinois. His poetry has appeared or is upcoming in two chapbooks and various journals including Ascent, Lullwater Review, Pikestaff, Amaryllis, and Algebra of Owls among others.