Five Gods

What would you do if you saw the gods 

come swaggering down the street

the Father of Winter, one-eyed like Odin

having given it all up

for wisdom

the Mother of Summer

her arm in his

with her perfect and intoxicating curves

cradled in the green of her gown 

exuding the smell of melting butter and 

coffee in the morning 

the Brother of Autumn

with his hawk eyes and his flashing smile

sweeping the street with his attention 

and his hair all red and auburn 

like a mountain at sunset 

when the leaves are changing

the Daughter of Spring

generous like the rain

with the creamy brown of her skin 

as rich as the earth of the flowering beds

inviting you to run after her

and beg for her attention 

the Bastard, wicked 

and winking and unashamed 

licking his lips at the sight of us

looking for our flaws and welcoming us

for our beautiful imperfections

and our loving hearts 

so easy to break 

so difficult to mend 

all of them 

incandescent like the sun

unbearably powerful and ready to 

knock you to your knees 

if they turn their heads

to glance at you in passing.

Fairy and the Peasant Girl by Yuliya Litvinova