Gorgons

Animal, or mineral?
Brazen hands,
wings of gold,
swine-like tusks,
snakepit hair.
What fear or memory
of the bestial,
of inhuman cold,
petrifies you
as you look?
And what do their eyes
seek — recognition?
Each gorgon is
pig, bird, snake,
offers means for
sumptuous adornment:
bronze, ivory,
gold; diadems
of glittering
serpent eyes.