Truth Be Told, by Deborah Guzzi

Venus Frigida, by Peter Paul Rubens (Flemish), 1614.

Truth Be Told
 
I am Venus, the goddess most desired and bold.
Without shame, men seek my likeness in flesh not stone.
There is no truth in any myth which shows me cold.
 
What storm, what wood or evil would not lose control
when into Terra’s sight my light has overshown?
I am Venus, the goddess most desired and bold.
 
Deny the slick of oil upon brittle board, behold,
my hair, rays of the sun, my child, I’d not bemoan;  
There is no truth in any myth which shows me cold.
 
Hired, paid to paint, this artist who the crown extolled
fought with his faith, paints me sinful Eve, skin and bone.
I am Venus, the goddess most desired and bold.
 
Many lovers I have had, Gods get left my folds,
Goddess of creation, I rose from sea fathers foam.
There is no truth in any myth which shows me cold.
 
Of man’s heart and hand, of his mortal frightened soul
this one paints, his own fears, he fears to be alone.
I am Venus, the goddess most desired and bold.
There is no truth in any myth which shows me cold.

Deborah Guzzi

This poem was written as part of the 20 Poem Challenge.

Deborah Guzzi is a healing facilitator specializing in Shiatsu and Reiki. She writes for Massage and Aromatherapy publications. She travels the world seeking writing inspiration. She has walked the Great Wall of China and visited Nepal (during the civil war), Japan, Egypt (two weeks before “The Arab Spring”), Peru, and France (during December’s terrorist attacks).
 
Her poetry appears in Magazines: here/there: poetry in the UK, Existere - Journal of Arts and Literature in Canada, Tincture in Australia, Cha: Asian Literary Review, Hong Kong, China, Eunoia in Singapore, Latchkey Tales in New Zealand, Vine Leaves Literary Journal in Greece, mgv2>publishing in France, RedLeaf Poetry, India and Travel by the Book, Ribbons: Tanka Society of America Journal, Sounding Review, Kyso Flash, The Aurorean, Crack the Spine Literary Magazine, Liquid Imagination, Poetry Quarterly, Page & Spine and others in the USA. Her new book The Hurricane is available now through Prolific Press.