Aphrodite of the Flowers at Knossos Coming Down from Heaven's Mountain 

"Leave Crete and come to this holy temple

where your graceful grove of apple trees

circles an altar smoking with frankincense.

Here ice water babbles through the apple branches

and roses leave shadow on the ground

and bright shaking leaves pour down profound sleep.

In our meadow where the horses graze

amid wild blossoms of the spring and 

anise shoots fill soft winds with aroma

of honey, love goddess, pour heaven's

nectar carefully into gold wineglasses

and mingle our celebration with sudden joy."

Sappho (B.630-612 BCE)

Voices of Light 

1999, edited by Aliki Barnstone

Shambhala Publications, Inc.