The Watchman
By Paris Rosemont
Oh, loyal Argos, watcher of the skies—
protector of chaste wife to faithless Zeus:
philandering god with a wandering eye,
seducing goddesses and mortal youths
alike, whilst Hera helplessly watched him.
She watched as bastard spawn littered the land –
thorns in her side – reminders of his sin;
yet she remained devoted to her man.
Meanwhile, her servant, Argos, watched his charge,
protected and kept safe Zeus's fair wife—
for she, in all his hundred eyes loomed large
and in devotion he laid down his life.
Hera plucked out his eyes in memory
and when a peacock spreads its wings, he sees.
Paris Rosemont
Paris Rosemont is an Asian-Australian poet and author of Banana Girl (2023) and Barefoot Poetess (2025), published by WestWords. Her edgy poetry – distinct in voice – has been widely published and awarded. Banana Girl was shortlisted by the Association for the Study of Australian Literature for the 2024 Mary Gilmore Award. It was also shortlisted for Poetry Book Awards 2024 in Australia, Greece and the UK, and was awarded ‘Distinguished Favorite’ in the NYC Independent Press Award 2025 (USA). Paris’s niche is in performance poetry. She may be found via Instagram @msparisrose
Photo credit: Ivan Botha
Apricot Press 