OLD MAN PERSEUS

When I was just beginning junior high school, I was fascinated by mythology, and one of my favorite stories was that of Perseus and Medusa. I wrote then a poem about this story, with my own twist at the end. As you know, anyone who cast his eyes upon the gorgon Medusa would turn to stone. With this poem I received my favorite compliment more than once: "You didn't write that!"

OLD MAN PERSEUS

Red flashing eyes and viper hair
And eagle claws had she,
Grayish cheeks and flapping wings,
Enough to make one flee!

I ventured out to slay her
Near the raging sea,
Beside her were two other ones,
Uglier than she.

I closed my eyes and swung my sword
At that ferocious gorgon,
But even without looking
It was worse than slaying a dragon.

I put her head in a goatskin bag
And took it back with me;
I held it up before the king
And he never more shall be.

But now I'm old and married,
With a family all my own;
But what good is a family...
When they've all turned to stone?



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