Medusa

What if Medusa wore a wig?
What if her snakes were merely show-stuff
	to dull her blinding beauty?
If her rags were carefully arranged?
If her filth were applied before
	greeting unwanted guests?

Perhaps she created the legend of her own fall from grace,
	and the punishment of a goddess.
She may have sought to hide her brilliance,
	and spare a man his foolish death.

What if it was her beauty that turned men into
	the stone of despair, that they could never
	have her, never find a woman to match her?

Maybe she understood she could never be possessed,
	the way those heroes owned their women...
	for jealousy would kill them all.

So, she possessed herself.
And maybe she loved a young blind woman
	who did not know the face of fear,
	but merely slept by her side, safe
	in the knowledge of love.

			-Kelly J. Cooper

dedicated to Regis Mary Catherine Donovan; 8/29/91
All rights reserved