After mezzorelievo, "Kariatydy" gesso duro by Bozena Happach, 2000. http://bohappach.com/index.html

They need Us. We are their oases. Havens of escape.
Places beyond justice. Realms where men, women, can hide.
Escape their karma. Reality of forgiveness? Ah, fools!
Is it not they who raised Us to Olympian pride?


They ask us for obeisance. We have but sweat to offer.
Sisyphean efforts? Gods, goddesses, hovering in the sky…
Though you’ll never admit it, you, too, exist only in our minds.
If you destroy us, you too will surely die!

***

[The Greek term karyatides literally means "maidens of Karyae", an ancient town of Peloponnese. Sculptures of women supported the entablature of the temple dedicated to the goddess Artemis. In my poem, they support the goddess herself…]