Poems Inspired by Greek Mythology

The Woe of Persephone

Do I dare?

His coal-like eyes bore deep into mine. 

“It’s just three seeds,” 

he murmurs to me. 

Do I dare?

My mother waits for me

above in the land of wheat.

Where the sunlight kisses my skin.

I feel the warmth of the torch

as she searches for me. 

Yet down here in this place

that reeks of death and decay.

I find a sense of home

and I am wishing to stay. 

Do I dare?

Seeds from a pomegranate tree.

A small offering

yet even a taste imprisons me.

Do I dare?

The weight of these seeds

is that of the universe.

I quake under its pressure

and tremble in fear.

His hand reaches out 

and supports mine.

Suddenly, the weight of the world 

is bearable. 

The Burden of Medusa

“Gorgon, monster, whore.”

Their voices stalk me

like a hunting dog hot on a trail.

I run from the crowds

and shield my eyes from anyone

who may be brave or stupid enough

to meet them. 

“Disgrace, shame.”

A female voice looms over the rest.

Her harsh words pierce my mind

as tears spout from my eyes.

I sprint far from the temple.

As the voices of the crowd fade

the hissing begins to amplify.

My ears prick up 

and my body breaks the sprint.

“No man shall ever gaze upon you again.”

Her voice is a rockslide. 

Slowly, I reach up 

and touch my scalp 

only to be met with

scaly, rough slithering snakes.

“How could I ever resist?”

Even though he has disappeared

his voice remains.

I feel his hot sticky breath

in my ear as if he still pinned me

against the cold stone floor.