Aphrodite

Golden Aphrodite, fairest of goddesses,
ideal of grace and beauty, dearest friend of lovers,
inevitable one, irresistible one,
ever-present, overwhelming force of life.
Aphrodite, incomparable goddess,
in all love's intricacies we see your hand:
in words of devotion, heavy with sentiment;
in the tentative touch of new lovers;
in shallow breaths, in eyes clouded by desire,
in tangled limbs, unknowing and uncaring
of any reality beyond two bodies;
in the comfort and passion of love long known;
in each creeping, fearful warning of love's loss.
Beloved Aphrodite, heart of my faith,
anchor of my certainty, I praise and honor you.

Ares

Ares, warrior, soul of survival,
quick-thinking, quick-striking son of great Zeus,
your sword ever sharp, your shield ever ready,
your keen eyes ever wary, ever watchful,
ever vigilant, ever guarding
against any enemy, any danger.
Ares, efficient one, practical one,
a club or a stiletto at need;
the deft strategic mind is yours, war-god,
as much as the unthinking rage of battle,
the brutality, the sweat and the mud,
the pure drive to defend home and family.
Ares, lover of fair Aphrodite,
master of life-sustaining passions,
Ares, mighty one, I praise and honor you.