Echo

The lonely Echo lives in caves, 
doomed to repeat her voice.
How sad it is she cannot speak,
but this was not by choice.

Once long ago in wooded hills,
gods cursed her chatty tongue
so she could only say again
words spoken or those sung.

She fell in love with Narcissus;
a love he would deny,
for she could only parallel  
his words as her reply.

He denounced the woodland beauty. 
She cursed his naked soul. 
Now he could only love himself
and never hearts he stole.

From that time on she hid herself 
in deep sequestered dells.
Her fading form has turned to rock.
Her voice is all that dwells.

If you hear the ghost of Echo,
the phantom of the air
and your last words repeat themselves,
you've found the maiden's lair!
Copyright © | Year Posted 2008

Poem

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12
Moreno Avatar
May 3, 2009 at 11:59 AM
Celeste, my belated congrats in making the semi finals...Raul
Mason Avatar
April 26, 2009 at 1:10 PM
I thought for sure I had previously commented on this beautiful write but I don't see my name ... hmmm ... well now it is a "first round survivor" ... smile ... good luck in the contest, Celeste !!
Adeite Avatar
April 4, 2009 at 9:24 PM
hmm, it happens, a creative piece this is .... great you ! congrats on a well desevered first round survival. wishing you all the best in the finals. love Leke
Loving Iii Avatar
April 1, 2009 at 9:20 AM
familure with Edith Wharton? she told the story well. and you have learned it as thet tell. in this piece, your version swell. capture my attention and treated it well. John H Loving III
Bellefleur Avatar
March 30, 2009 at 2:59 PM
A joy to read and very pretty.. Congrats on making the next round..
Brown Avatar
February 27, 2009 at 7:09 AM
Congratulations on your excellent poetry being featured this week. May you have many more featured Celeste. Love, Carol
Jordan Avatar
February 25, 2009 at 6:15 PM
Celeste - loved the way this poem ended - wonderful poetry - I just wanted to say congratulations on having your poetry featured this week – God Bless, MJ
Suzadail Jr. Avatar
February 24, 2009 at 6:49 AM
Number Three? Awesome week for your poetry. Congratulations again! Vince
Higgins Avatar
February 22, 2009 at 5:14 PM
Congrats on being featured this week.
Esquire Avatar
December 21, 2008 at 10:42 AM
Celeste, Congratulations on YOUR POEM 'Echo" being Featured this week It's wonderful the way YOU bring Mythology back from the past Merry Christmas and may the New Year bring Health and Prosperity to YOU and YOURS...HG
Anderson Avatar
December 21, 2008 at 9:09 AM
This was always one of my favorite story's. I love the way you wrote about it!
Pig Knuckles Avatar
December 18, 2008 at 9:41 PM
Wow Celeste, let me echo my congratulations to one and all for this amazing poem by you. Great job for being featured as I thank you for sharing both yourself and your well crafted gift of writing with us all. Wonderful Poem... MPK
George   Avatar
December 16, 2008 at 6:34 PM
Very imaginative and creative. Wonderful, skillfull writing, dear Celeste. lainie
Austin Avatar
December 16, 2008 at 5:40 AM
Yes! I really love Greek mythology, have written a chap book on the myths. Your piece is so fine. Congrats on this selection
Winter Avatar
December 15, 2008 at 5:26 PM
Congratulations on your featured write of the week! Warmest wishes for a beautiful holiday season. Love, Shar
Swanson Avatar
December 15, 2008 at 4:19 PM
Congratulations on getting featured Celeste! I thought this was so wonderful the first time I read it, glad to see it on the feature pages! :) Love and blessings, Amy
Guzzi Avatar
December 15, 2008 at 1:49 PM
Most wonderful, the meter, the rhyme, the imagery. Light & Love Debbie Guzzi
Brown Avatar
December 15, 2008 at 6:37 AM
Congratulations on your well deserved poetry being featured this week Celeste. Love, Carol
Heck Avatar
December 7, 2008 at 7:16 AM
Excellent rhyme scheme in this beautifully written Quatrain. Both the message and the imagery presented here was Top Notch! Welcome to the Soup and have a wonderful Holiday season. Peace always, John
Mason Avatar
December 5, 2008 at 9:05 AM
Beautifully written. I've yet to do a quatrain (at least that I know of ... I probably just called it a rhyme ... LOL ) and this definitely has a rhythm to it. Just excellent and Welcome to PoetrySoup if I haven't said that already ... glad you're here!
Suzadail Jr. Avatar
December 5, 2008 at 8:10 AM
Welcome to the Soup. I can see by your poetry that you'll be a very welcome addition to this family of poets. As for rating poems, it's subjective so I never do. Thanks for reading mine. God Bless. Vince
Suzadail Jr. Avatar
December 4, 2008 at 6:29 PM
Excellent poem. A story well told. Vince
Moreno Avatar
December 4, 2008 at 4:34 PM
Well written, nicely developed and filled with energy...Raul
Swanson Avatar
December 2, 2008 at 7:25 AM
What a sad but lovely story! I love the personification. Beautiful writing, really drew me in to the story. Thanks too for the kind comments on my poetry. :) God bless, Amy :)
Bickerstaffe Avatar
December 2, 2008 at 5:43 AM
Excellent cadence and rhyming! A lovely tale well told... Best wishes, Keith
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