Medusa's Eyes

My perspective of an ancient myth.

When you stare into her eyes, you see an abyss

A dark depth, an everlasting endlessness.

Something about the way that onyx glows

Amidst a bed of snow

Catches your gaze

And bewitches you to daze.

Something about the way that calm storm brews

Makes you forget that it is all a ruse

For wide is her nose, ragged is her hair, and crooked are her teeth

But how can the adventurer see that when from her eyes the siren sings?

Something about the way that ember shines

Turns the majestic lion into a kitten that pines

For a moment longer to give his love

To those jewels that twinkle like the stars above.

When you stare into her eyes, you feel cold

You lose the power to move, your bones turn into stone.

Author's Note

Please comment and let me know what you think!

Reviews

[Agyani]

The language construct is impressive here! I loved the way you have shown how Medusa might beguile travellers and adventurers! I don't know ALL the details of the myth surrounding her, but I've always known her to have eyes that turn people to stone and people are usually tricked into looking at them by their opponents or some similar circumstances. But this....this is an interesting angle to it. :D

I found the second last verse a bit confusing. Not sure if it's because it talks about something about the myth I'm not aware of, or you couldn't quite describe what you wanted to. Thought I'd point that out.

It's a good poem. I found it on The Writers' Coffeehouse, and I'm glad I did. :)

[emptyinkwell]

Thank you so much for the review! Hoping to read some of your work too when I get the chance.

The legend behind Medusa is that she was at one point the most beautiful human woman, but I think she had an affair with this one god and another god got mad and turned her into an ugly brute whose stare turned men into stone. I chose to interpret this as a defeat to the gods - that even magic couldn't take the beauty from her eyes.

As for the second to last verse, I see what you mean. I may have over done it. I was just trying to add on to the theme that those eyes are hard to break free from.

[TRENCH-KID🌻]

That's really good. I love it

[emptyinkwell]

Thank you! :)