An ekphrastic poem inspired by the novel by Madeline Miller and the painting by Wright Barker—told from the perspectives of Circe and Odysseus.
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"Circe" by Wright Barker
Come hither, but dare not defy me.
Even monsters bow in my presence.
Blossoms scatter like blood
on her marble steps; she glides
on a tiger’s rug with a goddess’s harp
at her side. The goddess beckons––
These pigs soil my dress,
these lions roar in the night,
these wolves bark at my feet,
this staff bids them all silence.
Like an animal, I indulge her
hospitality, enraptured by her
sweet wine, her reddened lips, her
silken dress, molding to her
curves––
But you you you, Odysseus,
your words echo in my soul.
Great sorceress, daughter of Helios,
daughter of Perse, have mercy––
I did. And in return,
you soothed my scars.
You won my heart.
You freed me from this golden cage.
Now Gods forgive me
because I have to go,
because I see you in his eyes,
because my men have families
and so do I.
These scars burn,
these wolves howl,
these lions roar,
these pigs soil my dress,
but I will be fine without you
because in my lair
your blood awaits.
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