hope is

 

 

hope is

flayed

across

the back

of 

a

naked

torso

 

hope is

flexed

and

coiled

and 

burnt

 

hope is

wisdom

 

 

 

 

the haunting eyes of peony jack

 

 

in greek mythology paeon was the physician to the gods. he angered his teacher, asclepius, by extracting a milky liquid from a plant root to cure pluto.

 

asclepius was jealous and threatened to kill him. zeus turned paeon into a beautiful flower instead.

 

celebrated for centuries for their healing and magical properties, peonies were first taken to england by the roman legions in 1200.

 

legend had it nymphs would hide their naked forms by turning into peonies.

 

 

  

 

peony jack came to life in victorian times. he hid in peony trees awaiting spring. when peony jack awoke no-one was safe.

 

 

his clear blue eyes haunt us still. 

 

we dare not look into them for fear we may be transformed.