Naiad Of The Water Well

Naiad Of The Water Well
© Surazeus
2025 01 27

Falling leaves clutter meadow of her heart 
with shadowy fears of terrible danger 
so Appias crouches in ring of stones 
which she erects to camouflage her soul, 
then digs small pool to drink from shining spring 
while alert for monsters lurking outside. 

Startled awake at gleam of chilly dawn, 
Appias finds herself neck-deep in water 
because ring of stones she built now contains 
spring water sparkling up to its high brim, 
so she emerges dripping from her well 
and sits in grass to dry off in sunlight. 

Surprised to see the sturdy ring of stones, 
that forms hollow well, captures pool of water, 
Appias dips hands in clear liquid blueness 
and drinks sweet liquor springing from the Earth, 
then eats purple figs hanging from long limbs 
and listens to the golden oriole sing. 

When wild gang of boys muddy from their hunt 
swarm her secret grove, trampling violets, 
Appias shouts and twirls sturdy oak wand 
to prevent them soiling pool of her spring 
that shimmers over brim of her stone well, 
so they back away and obey her words. 

Kneeling with reverence at her command, 
gang of wolf boys patiently wait their turn 
as she dips turtle shell in sparkling water 
and pours it over their heads to baptize 
their bodies clean with spirit of the Earth, 
then holds the shell so each boy drinks his fill. 

Performing cleansing ritual every evening, 
Appias keeps gang of twelve wolf boys clean, 
and they erect twelve poles around her grove 
to form wood fort protecting her from harm 
where they stand guard as she hosts travelers 
who kneel and pray as she baptizes them. 

Erecting pointed roof over twelve pillars, 
Romulus directs wolf boys to construct 
temple to protect Appias and her well 
where she performs the rite of cleansing souls 
each afternoon for crowds of worshippers 
who praise generosity of her heart. 

When Appias dies after sixty years 
reigning as Naiad of the Water Well, 
Romulus places laurel wreath of power 
on head of Roma, daughter of his seed 
whom Appias bore under the full moon, 
so she strews violet blooms on her mother.