the ghost’s mute gestures meant. Her bare feet smacked
the steps to Ariadne’s chamber. Cracked
murals received her shadow. One portrayed
a thinner Minos dandling a boy who played
with a toy mouse, indifferent to his bliss.
Although Miletus let the young king kiss
him anywhere, he much preferred his brother,
a real man, whose beard would almost smother
the boy in each embrace. Eventually,
Miletus told the truth, and Jealousy,
at first a mouse inscribed upon the toy,
nibbled though all the king’s imagined joy.
Sarpedon had to leave Crete or destroy
his brother and his king. The way to Troy
or death was long and serpentined by storm.