TURQUOISE 8 (1999)

George Szirtes

Hermione, the teacher of Greek grammar,
has her face reconstructed by computer
animation. This lends a touch of glamour
to her more prosaic status as a tutor.
("A studious and meek schoolmistress
without a trace of show or ornament"
said Petrie, another scholar.) Her tenderness
has a stern edge, that is true, but her scent
is deeply sensuous and grave, her hair
parted in the middle shows a light line
of lovely mortal skin, perfectly aware
of its mortality as part of the design.
She emerges from the photo-booth and waits
for the line of four to slip out through the gates.

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