in the light before athens

for morning
in the light before Athens
is grubby
white
closed doorways
brilliant blue
walls
drippling wine
and history
a singular church

for morning
following my sense
finds two heels
the friends of dogs
and pebbled pathways
the thin bruise
of thonged feet

i have not opened my mouth
yet wide
my skin shouts country

i have not opened my mouth
yet we’ve met before

here
they know me
as a goddess.