Hera, goddess of matrons,
happens also to be
protector of slaves
The Heraion sanctuary,
now part underwater,
can be seen
at a promontory
across Corinth,
where the goddess blessed
the exchange of gold
for firm human flesh

Very near,
the homonymous
inland sea lake,
was the boat yard of Corinth,
teaming then with life and
commerce
Now the waters slumber
under the summer sun;
black rocks in a row
define the sea edge
barely marking the
place where centuries ago
seafaring boats berthed
and the sound of hammers,
the smell of pitch reigned.

Turning with an upstroke
I was transfixed
by the sight
of a three masted sailboat
with eight oars at rest,
sails full,
swiftly and silently
floating by.

For a moment
the ghosts
of thousands of sails
and the cries
of sellers
of thousands of slaves
blended in the bright
shimmering light
populating
the noon silence.