The Pythoness
I saw her again on the morrow astride her palfrey
when a tantivy with inevitable loss ensues.
Hair like wisps of gossamer trail in flashes of burnished gold
whilst she races the pistoleer who approaches ever nearer,
to gain his captured prize.
To arrive here for naught said of ill meaning..
A foolish word spoken with authority to her Lord..
Foretelling his demise- meant as a gesture of protective love,
but now perceived as a knowing act,
when against all expectation, finally he succumbed to the saturnism of the day.
Her warning given with love but now viewed with suspicion.
'A strumpet with intent' the only vision they hold
but now being pursued with raging ferocity.
Whilst she an unhappy pythoness seeks a hopeless refuge
from an unknowing and unforgiving age.
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Comments
Hi Lodigiana! nice to see you using archaic language- had to look up a few of the words but what a nice change! Sad little story but love how you took us through the narrative. You are never afraid to tackle anything - well done !! xx
Thank you so much Steviec- pleased you enjoyed it xx
Lodigiana
Sight is a curse when you can see through time as well space. But then so is difference. And when it comes to blatantly obvious difference...every age is unknowing and unforgiving!
This poem is a short and breathless tale about the consequences of revealing your differences...told in a vivid and dramatic manner; and the archaic accents add a seasoning of authenticity.
The title and some of the imagery also seem to be making allusions to the Pythia: the priestesses at Delphi who would convey the pronouncements and prophecies of Apollo to the baying supplicants of the ancient world...but maybe I'm reading too much into it!?!
A joy to read!
J ;)
Hi Jason, as always, spot on with the connection to Pythia! What a wonderful name to give to someone who foretells the future ..a Pythoness,! Wanted to show how sometimes the best intentions can be misconstrued and the consequences dire...no matter what age we are living through! so pleased you enjoyed it- thank you xx
Lodigiana
Ahh...had an inkling.
Your poem reminded me a little of William Golding's last novel, The Double Tongue. It's about a young girl who's brought to Delphi to train as one of the Pythia and finds herself becoming the Oracle before she's really ready. It's a fascinating meditation on the nature of belief and is worth reading, though Golding died before he could complete the final draft and the book was published posthumously.
Frankly though...your poem has a much more interesting and dramatic story at its heart.
J ;)
Thanks for the heads up on the William Golding novel..not one that I have read but one to go on the ever increasing list..thank you x
Beautifully constructed and with such Compelling rhythm
Thanks so much Scarlet- really appreciate it! xxx
Lodigiana
Hi Michael, to be honest I also had to double check word meanings but hopefully the story line is understood anyway and the language just gives it a bit of extra depth.Pleased you took the time to read, enjoy and comment.Much appreciated!
Lodigiana xx