Partenope: the Envious Siren
In Greek mythology Partenope was a beautiful siren
who frequented the shore of Cuma on warm days
to deride the strong and handsome Odysseus
who was madly in love with a very young woman.
On that shore of delightful scents there was a pristine beach
washed by a pretty sea and while Odysseus was eager to teach
love to this virgin....golden as sun rays, fragile as sunflowers;
a tearful Panepole watched them touch, kiss and close eyes.
Were rejection and resentment the causes of all she became?
Her anger was enough to disturb the noon's beautiful peace
and stop them from being two souls immensely passionate,
but she needed the help of Poisedoin who stirred many seas.
Poisedoin's voice echoed through swelling clouds turning gray to rave,
" How dares Odysseus court a mortal...a mere earthly worm! "
And with a furious gesture, he cried out and started a storm;
" Ignore the angry God!" Odysseus shouted running with her into a cave.
" I came to Italy with my fellow Cumans to find happiness by loving
this woman who'll bear my children! " He replied with defiance
to the angered Poisedoin who kept on rising waves disliking his rudeness...
" Tell Partenope not to stalk me...she's an envious siren without feeling!"
A loud earthquake shook the entire sea and Cuma was submerged in water,
but in his haste Poisedoin had forgotten to warn Partenope of the danger...
she was swollen up by a huge wave and washed ashore like fishes and shells;
Partenope's jealousy caused her own death and we remember her on stormy days.
Copyright © Andrew Crisci | Year Posted 2013
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