It's Myth Month

I've been reading poetry from ancient Greek and Sumerian mythology for school this month. It's interesting to take a character and imagine events from their point of view.

Medusa Weeps

Medusa weeps over morning coffee,
at night drowns tears in ouzo,
recalls perfect features, blond curls,
soft lips kissing secret lover,
Poseidon’s dance moves made her wet,
they writhed, legs entwined, on the marble
floor of Athena’s temple. Oh, discovered,
the goddess’ revenge was swift -
Gorgon sisters’ snakes instead of hair,
lions tails, wings, more snakes from waists,
hideous faces turn men’s hearts to stone.
Medusa finds a quiet cave, far from men’s eyes.
Here she waits, abdomen swollen with child.
Sound at the entrance, perhaps it is Poseidon,
ready to accept her for herself, despite the curse.
No, in the shadows stands Perseus.
Goaded on by Athena and her friends,
looking to his shield, to avoid her gaze, to avoid
the guilt, with one easy sweep of sword, takes
the horrible head, snakes screaming.

In the dark the grieving body yields
Medusa’s child, the perfect Pegasus.