Cassiopeia

She hangs upside down in her night sky chair,
Chained to the heavens by ropes of bright stars
With rubescent cheeks and moonlight-soaked hair.
 
Wrists raw with redness of eternal scars,
Her silver tears drop like gems to the sea,
Chained to the heavens by ropes of bright stars.
 
Cursed by Poseidon, she'll never be free.
Punished for claiming the beauty of gods,  
Her silver tears drop like gems to the sea.

She wallows in shame, so lovely and flawed.
Regrets bloom like roses with crimson thorns,
Punished for claiming the beauty of gods.

Jailed by nighttime, her weary soul mourns,
Weeping for freedom that will never be. 
Regrets bloom like roses with crimson thorns.

Pinned there forever, unable to flee,
She hangs upside down in her night sky chair,
Weeping for freedom that will never be, 
With rubescent cheeks and moonlight-soaked hair.

Five little stars
Represent her fate
Can she see us staring?

*Based on the mythological story of Queen Cassiopeia and her constellation
Copyright © | Year Posted 2012

Poem

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Hunter Avatar
April 12, 2013 at 9:43 AM
And yeah, my brothers and I are very close. My older brother and I went to China together a few times over the years...
Hunter Avatar
April 12, 2013 at 9:40 AM
I've heard of Cassiopeia ... but this is the first time I've heard the story....you are an excellent story-teller, ya know?...and such a range of talent...
Lamoureux Avatar
February 15, 2013 at 2:05 PM
I read this one again, I see why you like this form, you are very skilled at it. This is a stunning piece.
A  Avatar
January 12, 2013 at 11:46 AM
Heather,Congratulations, a wonderful win*SKAT
Williams Avatar
January 12, 2013 at 11:08 AM
Heather congrats on your win, very enjoyable write...David
Ryerson Avatar
January 12, 2013 at 5:06 AM
Stunning and beautiful, Heather...congrats on your win - Tim
Tams The Golden Girl Avatar
January 12, 2013 at 3:18 AM
Smashing write Heather, and congratulations on your winning spot xx
Roberts Avatar
January 11, 2013 at 9:47 PM
Loved it Heather....Seren
A   Avatar
January 11, 2013 at 9:46 PM
Heather.. I'm here to offer support In Richard's "Terzanelle Fantasy with a Questionku Chaser " contest.. :-) CONGRATULATIONS (-: good night~ PD
Mccormick Avatar
January 11, 2013 at 7:56 PM
Beautiful Heather, I love how your poetry ties the stars together! Congratulations... E=mc²
Guzzi Avatar
January 11, 2013 at 7:35 PM
Lovely concept and excellent use of form! Congrads on your win Light & Love
Lamoureux Avatar
January 11, 2013 at 6:44 PM
Way to go, excellent work. Congrats on a terrific entry.
Zerbst Avatar
January 8, 2013 at 9:01 PM
Cassiopeia always has fascinated me. The constellation and the story behind it. I love the moonlight soaked hair and tears falling into the sea.
Patrikar Avatar
December 31, 2012 at 6:05 AM
that was amazing!
Dietrich Avatar
December 19, 2012 at 4:35 PM
wow, you really brought this constellation to life with the wonderful imagery you used. And your questionku fit perfectly with it. Probably the best match i've yet seen of questionku with terzanelle. This has GOT to be a winner.
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