"Fair Maiden Medusa"

October 31, 2018; Narrative Poem

A temple there stood, fearsome and mighty,

Made of magnificent marble.

At the altar there lay a beautiful maiden,

Medusa; The God Poseidon’s latest marvel.

The temple belonged to the grave Athena,

Goddess of wisdom and justice. She’s gruesome

When angered, and that she was; the goddess

curses the fair maiden Medusa.

Athena’s temple so desecrated, reeked of shame

A humid reminder, though Poseidon is there no more.

The maiden Medusa’s pale shoulders wracked,

Frightened cries echoing, littering the frigid floor.

The maiden’s skin descends to a ghastly green. Serpents

grow from her scalp, replace the dark locks there prior.

Hardened scales for armor creep up thin wrists and

The maiden Medusa is now a monster