A web of contusions
that collect, bruised sometimes but always intact—
if one could see what lies behind
then perhaps
the truth would come out,
there are far
too many
versions of the myth that exist.
Crafted by Hephaestus on the instructions
of Zeus,
she was the first mortal woman,
red confederacy lips
and a gaze that could the ocean to relapse
into silence,
she spoke words which only a few
could understand.
Draperies of dusk descend, diffusing
the spirit of free inquiry
and universal
toleration which has since affected
the civilized world,
she makes her way slowly into the lush
green open,
her robe sliding slightly off the shoulder,
what was she thinking?
The crunch of leaves beneath her feet,
she jumps from
ledge
to ledge, from tile to tile,
the heaviness of the box both overwhelms
and excites,
what we see and what we hear isn’t
always what it seems.
She can feel the black
eyes of ravens closing in on her,
the questions is;
what now, if ills of humanity have been released?
Photo credits: Pinterest
Posted for Open Link Night #366 @dVerse Poets Pub
26 Responses
I’m so glad you’re still exploring mythology, Sanaa, and Pandora is a fantastic character to write about. I really like these lines:
‘Draperies of dusk descend, diffusing
the spirit of free inquiry
and universal
toleration which has since affected
the civilized world’
which link the myth to modern times.
Awww gosh! Thank you so much, Kim 😍 so glad you enjoyed it! 💄❤️
Part 1 leads me to hope that there will be a Part 2. I liken Pandora’s story to Eve and the apple tree, always trying to scare females from the truth of their power.
There are definitely going to be more parts!
Thank you so much, Lisa 😀 so glad the poem resonated with you 💄❤️
Oh this is wonderful, Sanaa. I love the imagery and the anticipation that builds in the last stanza.
Thank you so much, Mish 😀 so glad you liked it 💄❤️
An interesting commentary, Sanaa!
I love the alliteration in
“Draperies of dusk descend, diffusing
the spirit of free inquiry”
I feel like that’s where we are now, but we all know women are not to blame. 😊
Thank you so much, Merril 😀 so glad the poem and its imagery appealed to you 💄❤️
The subject matter, if I may be so dry, was just so well-chosen, so clever, so carefully opened, played with, teased. Such a literary piece. Am amazed, zet again.
Thank you so much, Ain 😀 so glad you liked it💄❤️
Your poetic write on mythology is quite stunning in terms of visual and biting into the heart of things.
I hope there is a part 2.
There are definitely going to be more parts!
Thank you so much, Charlie 😀 so glad you enjoyed it 💄❤️
Pandora is a fascinating subject for what she shows us of antique society. Woman created to be a beautiful object, but when she longs for anything more, she becomes the bane of mankind. Obviously.
Too true Jane!
❤️❤️❤️
Thank you so much, Jane 😀 so glad you liked it 💄❤️
I have always loved your poetry Sanaa. Your use of language is thrilling and your alliteration captivates …
Draperies of dusk descend, diffusing …
Beautiful ☺️💕
Thank you so much, Christine 😀 so glad you enjoyed it 💄❤️
I do love a good myth, great poem Sanaa!
Thank you so much, Kim 😀 so glad the poem resonated with you 💄❤️
Pandora’s the odd duck queen of myth – why she was created, what she released and why. What a man says of her and what a woman says of men who talk of Pandora – well that’s a Pandora’s box of its own. Looking forward to Part 2!
Thank you so much, Brendan 😀 so glad you liked it 💄❤️
What a fascinating write, Sanaa!Very evocative imagery and you leave us hoping for a part 2. ❤️❤️
Thank you so much, Punam 😀 so glad you enjoyed it 💄❤️
I love the story of Pandora, what I love about your poem are the questions it raises.
Thank you so much, Paul 😀 so glad the poem resonated with you 💄❤️