Echo

Her neighbors claim her as their fairy, And gather around to protect This little wood nymph of their forest Who so needs their love and respect. They don't know how she came to their woodland. It seems she is one of a kind. She must gaze at reflection in water For one like her own self to find. Lovely flowers bow in abeyance All the wood creatures kneel down with awe. The wind tries to clear the lake waters, That she might see the picture they saw. The magnificence of her surroundings More than easily rivaled by The beauty of her reflection As it’s framed by the bright blue sky. She has no access to glass mirrors, This little nymph of the wood. She longs to see her own features Without ripples if only she could. Goddess Hera is extremely jealous Of her beauty, her goodness, her youth. Though there is no reason for vengeance, Goddess ire doesn’t listen to truth. She puts a vile charm on the wood nymph And steals away her sweet voice. She can only speak now as an echo. This dear child has no other choice. The wood creatures gather around her. They miss her melodious song. They give her the new name of Echo, Declaring what happened was wrong. One day at the lake was Narcissus. She was charmed but could not tell him so. When he asks if she deems him as handsome, She repeats his own words as an echo. He’s amazed at her impudent actions, Intrigued into saying “I love you.” Love releases her from the wicked one’s spell. “Beloved Narcissus, I love you too.” They spend all their hours now together, Gazing at the pretty pictures they make, More gorgeous than lilies reflected In clear waters of their wedding lake. By: Joyce Johnson