helen of troy as my great grandmother

she boiled rocks, you know

on the stove

to get rid of the spirits.

an image of an elderly helen of troy

one that did not disappear with menelaus

one that left algeria

was banned from france

met a husband in germany

moved to new orleans

and gave up prostitution.

hometowns 1787 miles from each other

closer to each other than i am to home

and we all know what blonde used to mean.

perhaps there is some kinship

between mediterranean women.