Hephaestus
Because I was ugly Because I had clubfoot (No, a twisted face) Because the sound of my toys annoyed him (No, he was drunk) There was no thought in it Because there was nothing else to do And every other possibility in every possible world Was spent My father threw me Once the instep of my foot was utterly steadfast Hard against the rock, rooted like a mountain Now my heels float upwards My hands spinning trapezoids and rhomboids in the sunlight Each digit flamed with dusky gold A storm-fall, terrible slipped thunder The isle of Lemnos, bedded, tender, azure The shining The shining The water hard as diamonds.
—Gabriel Olearnik
Gabriel Olearnik studied medieval history at University College
London. He is currently an attorney and practices corporate law.
