Lune de Miel

(Inspired by a strong bottle of Melomel and

The Sleep of Endymion by Anne-Louis Girodet)

Sweet ambrosia, divine nectar of the gods.

Fallen dew of the heavens collected by the laborious

Apis genus to appease the Mother Goddess Aphrodite.

Sweetest taste- manifestation of fertility, vigor, and grace.

Healing wounds of the fallen from the long forgotten far-east,

unyeildingly frozen North, primordial South, and barbaric west.

Pyment, Metheglin, Braggot; whatever is collectively deemed best.

Ginger, juniper, coriander, sage, chilies, rose pedals, cinnamon rods,

elderberries, cherries, vanilla, orange peel, blackcurrants, and yeast.

We choose and gather meticulously the elements to make a meritorious

drink. Sweetest taste- prognosticating transmutation; converging in a vase,

careful as always to stir nimbly, keep from the sun, and aerate lightly.

Libations are poured for the Mother Goddess rightly.

Wassail! Our mazers full of gold- we are blest;

Sweetest taste- ceremonies: swine, herbs, tubers, and dace.

We celebrate the season and surviving the daemons odds.

Our spirits still strong, our lands still home, victorious

we are, communal; we share our love and feast.

I have seen my people indulge when they should have ceased.

I have seen all become fools, both brittle and mighty,

no matter what they have seen, both horrible and glorious.

The insatiable are sinners, be wise what you ingest.

A glutton can never taste the wine, no matter what his facades,

but the reserve are intoxicated merely at the thought of a taste.

We teach restraint, lest more trials we may face.

Let all men be civil, wise, and non-beast,

Let all women love, be liberated- strong as Pernod.

At night we’re watched over by Selene the almighty.

Under her full watch, we have our ritual and rest,

through all our struggles we will prevail victorious.

Oh glorious honey, all man you appease.

Sweetest taste- to ground those flighty.

Here we are, so blest. Man through Mead, coupled with gods.

Authors Note: Whoever had the idea to create this daunting fucker known as Sestina should be shot!