WHEN

When you cannot forsake
your life
of all its bitterness
yet ask take a leave
of absence
as Sappho's children sit
on her lap
by rings of trees
to bask in the wind
eating fruit
learning Greek
or throwing a ball,
they knowing to seek
the presence of ease
as they wave to a poet
over the waters
who in their presence
still wants to please
her daughters.