Kalloneis Lake Naiad
Excerpt from Causes of Aristoteles
Hermead of Surazeus
2012 02 14

Camping on lush shore of Kallone Bay,
below moon-glowing hills of Lesbos Isle,
Aristoteles and Pythias sleep on grass
under willow tree that swirls in night breeze,
curled in loving arms, cheek to cheek, and dream
sweet kisses, soothed by music of soft waves
lapping over tinkling jewels on sand beach.
Eerie white shapeless glow appears in mist,
long hair swirling like weeds in river flow,
and sweet enchanting song curls in his heart,
aching in joyful sorrow, swelling thick
heart-thumping chest with desire to embrace
succulent breasts, so Aristoteles rises
and glides among wavering moon-flashing trees.
Wordless song of hungry desire for pleasure
and sweet peace in gentle embracing arms
lures teacher of reason away from camp,
where Pythias, his bride, moans in restless sleep,
so, leaping slow to float on breath, he follows
elegant hips and shimmering hair of Naiad
who leads him down into cool flowing stream
of river waves that shine with diamond eyes.
Slithering hands embrace his hips, and soft voice,
rising up from deep gloom of ocean waves,
whispers sweet enchanting spell of fierce hope.
"I am Kalloneis, daughter of Orseis,
and I long to taste your eager embrace.
Come down with me beneath clear glittering waves
and taste sweet honey on my tender lips.
Stay forever at peace in my bright caves
and lose your fear in pleasure of my hips.
Close your eyes and feel my loving caress.
Relax and float on waves of tingling kiss."
Aristoteles leans forward to kiss lips
but flash of light blinds him, and ghost dissolves.
Smiling face of Pythias, pale in moonlight,
appears before his eyes, substantial ripe
with rose lips and swelling breasts, so he stops,
gasping for breath, and struggles to return
from rippling river waves, groping through gloom
away from grasping hands of hissing Naiad,
thrashing against current to escape clutch
of stinging fingers, but darkness submerges
blinking eyes, and distant flash of moonlight
glows on face of Pythias who transforms huge
from girl to writhing serpent hissing sharp.
Flat on his back among thick tangled vines
Aristoteles snaps awake, gasping deep
for breath at gleam of dawn, and sees his bride
swinging stick and beating wild naked girl
who cringes and crouches, hissing enraged,
but flees slipping away into thick woods.
Kneeling at his side, Pythias touches chest
of river-soaked husband who clutches tight
her shoulders, startled and confused awake,
so she caresses his cold trembling cheek
and kisses his lips in wide-eyed delight.
"I almost lost you to her grasping lust,
for wild-haired Naiad Kalloneis emerged
dripping from sloshing lagoon waves, and tried
to lure you away from my faithful heart
deep below murky waves to jewel caves,
but I woke from strange dream in time to see
you stumbling after shadow of desire,
so I leaped before you, calling your name,
then thrashed her away with wand of Hermes."
Gazing deep in sparkling eyes of his bride,
Aristoteles gasps, then embraces tight
her heaving breast to calm their beating hearts,
and holds her close, relieved, in trembling arms.