The ancient poet Ovid says she, that is, Medusa, was a pretty serving girl of the big-cheese goddess Athena. Lots of dudes wanted a piece of her action, but she just said no, like she should... until the big-cheese god Poseiden came along, in which case, Medusa was won over, or overcome, we don't know which exactly. Athena got wind of it and turned Medusa into a monster with snakes in place of her beautiful hair and with a face so horrible, people turned into stone at the sight of it.But my story is different. In keeping with my recent theme of death by addiction, this is what happened to Medusa: She was a nice girl who got hooked on opium. Everything was fine until her supply ran out. In 55 succinct words, here is her lament:
Oh, nectar of poppy, whose long fingers
squeeze so sweetly, you drift to death, now
Oh, wretched need. Oh, snakes in your head.
No matter how you claw at them, they writhe there,
belonging to you, who let the darkness in.
You plead for release but the price is your head,
and it is squirming.
squeeze so sweetly, you drift to death, now
Oh, wretched need. Oh, snakes in your head.
No matter how you claw at them, they writhe there,
belonging to you, who let the darkness in.
You plead for release but the price is your head,
and it is squirming.
*************************************************
Not very pretty, is it? In honor of Halloween, please check out other souls who played with 55 words here. Thank you, Mr. Knowitall.
Painting, "Medusa" by Arnold Böcklin, circa 1878
28 comments:
Maybe not "pretty", but vivid and real. Using the nectar of the poppy sets the tone for this ancient tale of woe. The snakes she let in are such an apt metaphor. I can see this one in print somewhere.
So cleverly done.
http://hootin--anni.blogspot.com/2010/10/artsy-fartsy.html
Just scroll down below the 'artsy' part. hehehehehe
I guess I do have something, for which to be grateful. In spite of all my miseries, addiction, other than to food, in some part, has not been one of my plagues.
Very well done 55, my friend.
whew...imagine in the heat of addiction the head is definitely squirming...nice twist on old ovids tale....
"anger management" love that tag on this story! and told with excellence!
It is nice to get back here! words can do so much to a heart dontchyathink?!
mine is up!
The imagery is vivid -- I am squirming in my seat. Seems like a perfect fit for the insidious disease that is addiction. I enjoy your poetry immensely.
Have a great weekend.
Looks like a 21st century hippie with dreadlocks.
Delightfully creepy interpretation of the Medusa story. It's incredible that you can get so much imagery in only 55 words. Thank you for sharing your talent.
Johnina :^A
You know, that whole Greek Mythology stuff might have just been a huge orgy with a bunch of shroom-heads who felt the need to record their "trips". Makes ya think.. (My favorite Medusa was in the original Clash of the Titans) Happy Friday, dear.
♥namaste♥
Neat 55! I liked the inclusion of the painting. Happy Friday!
Poor medusa. Nice 55 word poem!
When I was 9 I dressed up as Medusa for Halloween. We braided rubber snakes into my hair and painted my face green. No one knew who I was supposed to be. And now that I think about it, the rubber snakes did kind of look like dreadlocks. - G
Hi, Chris. It's great to see you. Your 55 is very strong and oh, so true. I've lost too many friends to addiction. Really, one is too many.
Your entire piece is awesome. The images are vivid, and the Medusa allusion is spot on. The last two lines pack a powerful punch. But the line that keeps speaking to me is "belonging to you, who let the darkness in." Your words say it all. It is a choice and a monster to overcome.
Deliciously dark...so very true.
Sounds like hell to me...very good description of it in this 55! gave me goosebumps.
I have read your recent posts about addiction and the losses you have witnessed. I can relate. My heart and prayers go out to those still suffereing...
this was really clever - hooked on opium - the prize is your head...nice and true!
Terrific imagery powerful story.
My dear E.O,
So long since I last came here...
You've picked up the perfect part of mythology to write this poem, so bad how one can get to kill themselves, realizing and yet being unable to do anything about it, or the effort it takes too hard to accomplish.
Yes, sad and appropriate for Halloween too! ;)
Hugs!
D.
This a powerful 55. Nice. And a very "ripped from the headlines" piece.
I once wrote about this lady in a less serious way here
This is really hard hitting 55ve!
writhe and squirm... good words!
You keep me thinking....
my 55 is dedicated to you, HERE
Love and life,
Di
so a nice gal like me can visit your blog.....continued conversation from g-man's ...
A twisted twist on an age old human condition, as old as Medusa herself. With all the seven deadly sins thrown in squirming around in your head. A heavy price , indeed.
A strong, and well crafted ff55er.
cheers,
joanny
"No matter how you claw at them, they writhe there"...they do, indeed.
This should be on the wall in an AA room...
Well if that hairdo won't make you stay out of trouble, nothing will. :)
Nice one!
Pretty masterful, and not-so-pretty.
The final,
but the price is your head,
and it is squirming.
stunning.
I see some of those Medusa people hanging on the street corners as I pass through downtown. The shadow people is what I think of.
The poem freaked me out but I loved the lead in. You are deep, my friend!
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