Editor’s Note
This submission is in response to artwork from KLIO 2021, “Jovian” by Julius McBride, and is a part of our 2023 ekphrastic initiative.
Jovian by Julius McBride published in KLIO 2021.
In ancient myths did old Jove reign
No more; yet in the sky, I see
Not one more worthy of his fame
Than Number 5, the king-to-be.
Unmatched in stature, robed in storms
This Jupiter takes up the throne
Attended by his doting hordes
With gravity that’s all his own.
He manifests torrential might
With black clouds rolling through his pelt
And conjures up, to his delight
A hurricane to crown his belt.
In majesty he roars and churns
Exulting in his maelstrom’s daze
As war drums boom, and lightning burns
And trumpets sound in thunderous praise.
Queen Juno sulks outside the court
And glares at all the fawning moons
Ignoring his bombastic sport
As underneath her breath, she croons:
“O Jupiter! My husband dear
So full of life, yet full of air!
Beyond your precious atmosphere
No one can hear you – no one cares!”
Although wind roars Jove’s every word
And thunderbolts he hurls like toys
His symphony will go unheard
Lost in the silence of the void.
Ryan Zaff is a freshman at Penn State University Park, majoring in Geoscience. He is a member of the Penn State Creative Writing Club and primarily writes short stories in science fiction and fantasy, but also dabbles in poetry. Apart from creative writing, he enjoys running with Penn State Club Cross Country, participating in THON, and learning obscure science facts that have nothing to do with his major.