The Birth of Afrodite

 

Heavens kiss the sea &

I emerge

beneath branches of

weeping willows which

smooch-kiss sand

Pomegranate beads bounce

against my sea-soaked sienna skin

honey drips from my lips

too sweet for you to taste

Cherry blossoms

unfurl in my curls and coils

stretching skyward

I cover what you yearn for

Look into my eyes instead

Like gold from the sun

Take a seat and

let my brilliance burn

Though you deny it

I know you see me

I know you see me

I know you see me

I breathe life into myths

The first mother —

My skin reflects the cosmos

You want to dive in;

untethered &

get

lost

 
Naomi Shumpert, artwork by Tori Ochave

Tori Ochave is a third year majoring in Studio Art and minoring in Art History. Around grounds, she is an active member of the Organization of Young Filipino Americans and the Fralin Student Docents.

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