Canadian Author & Bookman, Spring 1977

Herewith, the latest selection from dusted-off published poetry and short fiction, circa 1970s vintage and beyond....

Web of Design

Weave your design, Arachne
the web that catches me
my daughter

Then I am Atlas
the weight of my universe
upheld on my bowed shoulders.
No task too little
but I must do it.
None too large but it is mine.

The tangled web of love
holds fast its victim.
My prison bars of satin glazed
with care. Shards of
passion slash tender
flesh and one learns
caution, but oh, too late.

The arabesque of grace
the gentle touch
the lone embrace
are illusions
the mirror image is false.

Spin, Arachne
shape with glowing colours
your wonderful tapestry
that attracts yet eludes
we unwary ones.
Weave the arras of my life.
But Arachne

I will not leave my daughter
victim.
I will take the tender bud
and show her the nettles
in future landscapes.

As for me, love binds fast
with iron chords
and the melody of my
past future and present
are one.

c. 1977 Rita Rosenfeld
Published in Canadian Author & Bookman, Volume 52, No.3