Quirinus Stands Guard
© Surazeus
2026 03 04

Gripping long spear of ash wood in both hands,
Quirinus glides through grove of apple trees
then pauses when he hears young woman sing,
and peers through leaves to see graceful Fornax
retrieving from hot oven loaves of bread
she sets on table beside long grape vines.

Before he can step in the sunlit glade,
Quirinus starts when Orion appears,
hauling handcart that bears several dead deer,
and growls when Fornax hugs him in delight,
but laughs when Ceres pushes her away
and declares he is father of her child.

Approaching kitchen hall with snarky grin,
Quirinus hails good health to everyone,
chuckling as pregnant Ceres pouts and sulks
while he assists Orion skinning the deer,
both whistling new popular temple tunes
with blithe camaraderie of warriors.

Roasting venison steaks on small bronze grill,
Quirinus marinates them with fish sauce,
honey, dried peaches, and sweet vinegar,
then serves them on plates with cups of spice wine
to people gathered in temple of Zeus
where dozens of girls dance with tympanum.

Hushing the feasting crowd after sunset,
Quirinus stands guard holding spear of faith
with his son Janus at the temple door,
so everyone turns to face the high stage
with quiet anticipation as stars
begin to twinkle around the red moon.

Guarding the temple with flickering torch,
Quirinus listens with reverent awe
as Orpheus plays lyre of Mercurius
and recites tale that recounts the twelve deeds
which Hercules performed in quest for honor
to preserve new order of life with justice.

Leading pregnant cow on the temple stage,
Quirinus stands before the sibyl throne
where Tellus presides as Goddess of Earth,
then after Orpheus chants spell of life
he sacrifices her to renew life,
scattering blood on field of new sprouting wheat.

Holding hands with Tellus while Ceres chants,
Quirinus leads her to the temple bed
where they make love with passionate desire
to resurrect the world from winter death,
while Orpheus looks for Eurydice,
calling out her name in the moonlit night.

surazeus.blogspot.com/2026/03/…

Orpheus finds Eurydice among reeds by the river who writhes in agony from bit of the snake, then weeps as her spirit vanishes to the stars.

#Poetry #Poem #Pastoral #Necropastoral #MetaModernism #Transrealism #NewSublimity #NewRomanticism #AmericanDream #Cinemism #Existentialism #Surrealism #NegativeCapability #NewGnosticism #MetaRealism #NewTranscendentalism #Astarism