An eagle is eating my liver.

An eagle is eating my liver.

By Priya Evans

Again, again, again.

It tears the meat that hides my shame. 

The gods do not forget their punishments of old.

They parcel them in pretty new packaging, 

changing for the time that chases them.

Hiding misery in dimpled cheeks and beaming smiles;

lost lovers, cold sheets, looming graves.

Hubris leaks from bleeding hearts.

My boulder slips, my liver swallowed by the blood-stained beak. 

Her snakes’ eyes watch the water recede, compounding crimes 

decreed by ancient beings.

The gods say grace for an earth they 

        created.

      destroyed.

      resent.

They deal the pain to those they cannot be,

stake souls in poker, trade lives for cigarette stubs.

Distance makes the heart grow weary, 

time marches alongside Sisyphus 

but the gods must stay and wait.