you were born an ocean-child,
sea foam bubbling from your lips,
crested waves of hair

(the oracle spoke of an journey;
you slept fitfully, perhaps dreaming
of the day you would sail into open arms)

and when the woman placed
you in my arms i was
blind and deafened

intoxicated with the roar
of the waves and my shame.

i saw my (& your) capacity for deceit
in your wandering eyes,
flirtatious,
curious to take in everything,

an ever-present reminder
of my own, for when zeus came
instead of your father,

i liked it

and i have always hated you for it.

12/28/2007

Author's Note: Timandra was one of Leda's daughters with Tyndareus, king of Sparta. Leda was raped by Zeus in the guise of a swan. Timandra was the wife of Echemus, king of Arcadia, but was unfaithful and deserted him for Phyleus, king of Doulichium. This one is actually part of a series -- 'When Leda looks at her children;'

Posted on 12/28/2007
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