Cartography of the Mind (Part 11 of 17)

The following are excerpts of an illuminated book sent from Liza to the group. As usual, we publish typed excerpts of these along with the original photo. The best way is to read the text, of course, is to to experience it in its illuminated form.

To Aphrodite of the Flowers, at Knossos
SAPPHO
(one of those writers who's life work was destined, by increments, to remain unfinished)

Leave Crete and come to this
holy temple
where the pleasant grove
of apple trees
circles an altar smoking with frankincense
Here roses leave shadow on the ground
and cold springs babble through apple branches
where shuddering
leaves pour down pro-
found sleep
In our meadow where horses graze
and wild flowers of spring blossum
anise shoots fill the air with a-
roma

And here, Queen Aphrodite, pour
heavenly nectar into gold cups
and fill them gracefully with sud-
den joy