Diane Engle

Diane Engle is an attorney by educational training (member of the Washington State Bar), a musician (organist and pianist), and writer by profession. Her work has appeared in numerous journals in the U.S., Canada, and the U.K. She is also included in an anthology, The Muse Strikes Back: A Poetic Response by Women to Men.

Below is a sample of this talented poet's work. Additional poems by Ms. Engle can be found throughout the pages of A Little Poetry.

Diana of the Ephesians

 I am Diana, Goddess of new light.
 My face, set ever sideways to the sea,
 silhouettes the moon.  The tunneled night
 in glistening black on black lifts in the sky
 its swirling curls of pain, shifting to fall
 onto my many breasts, my milk-filled moons
 balanced like glistening ewers over all
 the thirsty mouths of babes.  Those are my songs
 of passion floating stars.  My ancient call
 to chase is echoed in mirrors but if you look
 for Artemis, purist of virgins, I am not she.
 Still as a womb, where wildebeests lock their horns,
 I patiently lie in wait: break free,
 and I will hunt you.  This is my woodland
 pledged by Zeus, with paths to guide my feet
 and winds to speed my arrows.  Secretly I will set
 spectacular fires wild in the house of Brontes,
 spurn the searing of his fondling, fumbling hands,
 tear fists of chest hair from his body,
 and still yearn to hear him beg for mercy.
 One prayer is not enough for gods.

 I am Diana.  I have watched vile serpents play
 in Admetus' chamber, and have slept well
 beside Hippolytus, wrapped snugly in a cloud.
 I will stay forever by the beds of women mortified
 by pain, and flee not now, nor ever have, the ground
 that quivers or scarlet-ribboned sky new-burst with dawn.


    -Setting my face to cast a silver shadow
    on evening's mix of lace with dying light
    I grasp my deadly arrows with steadfast fingers
    and become Diana, Goddess of the night.-