Orpheus stands
lyre in hand .
He disappears into the trees
on meandering path .
And in a quiet grove
while singing to the birds
& leaves ,
his beating heart
is ripped apart
by frenzied
feline fingers .
His blood
is spilling on to ground ,
as white lilies
drown ,
in the final sweetness
of his song
under arching
weeping willows.
By moonlight
he will walk ,
light as
coloured wings on air ,
back to the riverside
for a final ride
to meet
awaiting love
on the other side .