Ode to Jezebel, by Megan Denese Mealor

Jezebel, by John Byam Liston Shaw (UK). 1896.

ode to jezebel

jezebel, that seditious sibyl
all vivified brass and saucy jazz
blue moon blaspheming 
igniting feral sanguine lips
transliterated a vulturine jade
recast carnivorous consort 
to trembling anemic despot 
she purloined pastorals
defied providence 
in the name of
grandstanding gravity 
vivacious vanity wars

that piratic provocateur 
marauded as seraphic lodestar
rimming callous melancholy 
with lewd ink, debauched kohl 
garnishing garnet plaits 
with flashes of jacinth and beryl 
damning her unswayable sinew 
to the massacre of mythology
the desecration of fabrication 
the exoneration of violation
she tarried boldly at the lunette 
awaiting her vindictive victor
his crowing chrysolite caravan 
sanctified with rabid spite
beseeching decaying demons 
for lucent wings 
of dauntless might 
alighting her curse 
to some clashing paradise 
redeeming the rectitude 
of her carnal curtain fall

for just a histrionic heartbeat
jezebel flew with falling angels

Megan Denese Mealor

Megan Denese Mealor has been writing practically since birth. Her poetry and short fiction have been published in numerous journals, most recently A Long Story Short, The Dying Dahlia Review, and Down in the Dirt. The granddaughter of celebrated Georgia artist Gene Mealor, Megan inherited his fascination with imagery. She lives in Jacksonville, Florida with her partner Tony, son Jesse, and cats JubJub and Trigger.