Ode To The Vestal Virgins

Image: The Vestal Virgin Tuccia with a Sieve - Charles-JosephNatoire

Ode To The Vestal Virgins

Nino Kether ©

6-5-2017 

Oh sweet Vestal Virgins

Thank you for tending to the fire in my heart.

I know it is you that keeps my spark of life burning day by day.

Numa's eyes were keen the day he chose you oh Sisters Of The Hearth!

They thought they had extinguished the Sacred Fire

but we know you keep it alive by magic.

You are ordained by the Gods to do so

and mere humans have no real power over you.

Your beauty is rivaled by none.

Oh what you have sacrificed for us and the Gods

Sweet Virgin Sisters!

I know I could not do the same.

Do you cry at times at night

when you are alone with your thoughts?

Do you ever wish for a child and a mate of your own?

Does Vesta comfort your hearts and minds?

I wish I could enter your Temple

but I know I cannot.

So it is in my heart that I make

my offerings and sacrifices to you.

Please quench my thirst with

water from your Sacred Spring.

Oh that my hands were pure enough

to bring some to you.

Fuel the Sacred Fires

with my moral or spiritual weaknesses

as there is enough to last from birth to death.

All my sacred objects I also give to you.

Use them as you will.

I will gather rush, reed, and straw

So you may make the Argei

for my brothers and sister.

And if I be so blessed please take mine

and toss it in the river as sacrifice to the other Gods.

May the effigies purify Gaia and Cybele

that their blessing may flow to all.

I know you are married to the Gods

and your dress is plain and not presuming.

But if I could I would dress you in silk

and adorned you with precious gems

emeralds, sapphires and rubys set in gold.

Although the flashing colors of the opal is divine

they are not as colorful as the rainbows in your eyes

nor as bright and captivating.

I feel weak and see Mors in the corners of my eyes at times

A spectral image for now but soon I know he comes.

Sweet Virgin Sisters I wish for you to know

before he lays his hand on me

how much I am thankful for your grace.

I pray to you and for you.

May the Gods hear my prayers and bless my sacrifices.

May I ask one last favor of you my loves?

Will you take my hand when time arrives

and guide me to the Underworld

and share one last drink from your Sacred Spring?

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