Golden Aphrodite, fairest of goddesses,
ideal of grace and beauty, dearest friend of lovers,
inevitable one, irresistible one,
ever-present, overwhelming force of life.
Aphrodite, incomparable goddess,
in all love’s intricacies we see your hand:
in words of devotion, heavy with sentiment;
in the tentative touch of new lovers;
in shallow breaths, in eyes clouded by desire,
in tangled limbs, unknowing and uncaring
of any reality beyond two bodies;
in the comfort and passion of love long known;
in each creeping, fearful warning of love’s loss.
Beloved Aphrodite, heart of my faith,
anchor of my certainty, I praise and honor you.