Muscly Mars

My name is Mars, the god of war,
a helmet on my head.
I may not wear a stitch, but fill
my enemies with dread!

I've taken Venus as my mistress,
known as 'er indoors.
She wears a kind of floaty coat,
but never any drawers!

She only needs to glance to see
that me, I am all man,
and yet, of course, I am all god;
explain that if you can!

© Celia Warren 2016

This Roman statuette of the god Mars was found in Fossdyke, Torksey, Lincolnshire. Now in the British Museum, it was fashioned by bronzesmith Celatus, who also donated some of the metal.