XI   FORTITUDE

Hope springs from the teeth of a lion –
& I am the pillar which supports the world.

I am the path
        between the lion’s jaws.
Fortuna, I defeat you
       without the empress’ sword,
       the papess’ book,
       the lovers’ imagined world
       or the hermit’s wisdom.

This lion by the jaws I take
& I make believe it’s easy,
       as I ride your wheel
       without magic,
       without weapons,
       with only a clear head.

Eagerly I set sail
       & watch coastlines disappear
       as paper ribbons to shore tear
       with a ship’s slow parting.

Like a moth emerging
       from her cocoon,
       I feel my wings
       beginning to sprout.

I am the freshest goddess
the world has ever seen.

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