Recalling Pieces of a Dream

Ancient Theater at Delos

"Delos" was first published 

in The Chariton Review

at Truman State University

in the Spring 1981 issue.

Delos 

James Hart

You walk down

the stone path

to the theatre facing the sea.

Rows of chairs await

the gray surge of tide-winds.

The actors hover, gulls telling

cold soliloquies.

You are the only

one there,

looking for a chair

among chairs.

There glinting silver, gray light,

growing pewter hued, salty

from the last performance,

someone’s silver sandal.

It is too small

for your foot.

It will walk

away from your foot.

It is softened

from the gods’ soundless steps.

You must wander in your sleep’s amphora.

One night you will wake,

and the stage will be full:

They will wait behind the moon’s curtain,

promenade the sand.

You will step up,

the silver sandal

will fit your step,

your pass to join the fire.