David Bailey Poet Pantoum

The Dream of Penelope - Source Homer's Odyssey

Her loom is still, the moon illumes her bed
Penelope sleeps in the still of night
A step betrays the living or the dead
Is her dream a warning or second sight?

Penelope sleeps in the still of night
Odysseus or his shadow’s presence felt
Is her dream a warning or second sight?
The threat of her suitors with danger spelt

Odysseus or his shadow’s presence felt
A veil of drifting mist obscures his face
The threat of her suitors with danger spelt
Long years of waiting leave their patient trace

A veil of drifting mist obscures his face
She wakes and touches bed of olive tree
Long years of waiting leave their patient trace
Her heart takes wing until her doubts spring free

She wakes and touches bed of olive tree
Is this a dream or is Odysseus here?
Her heart takes wing until her doubts spring free
Familiar now with longing, not with cheer

Is this a dream or is Odysseus here? 
The figure fades, her hopes and doubts remain
Familiar now with longing, not with cheer
Her strength must carry her through all the pain


Is this a dream or is Odysseus here? 
Her loom is still, the moon illumes her bed
Familiar now with longing, not with cheer
A step betrays the living or the dead

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Beata Agustin September 12, 2025 at 5:28 AM Thanks for sharing this... exposing your thoughts through your unique poetic style. Welcome to Poetry Soup. I welcome you with the love of the Lord, expressed by John 3:16 of the Bible, "For God so loved the world, that he gave his only begotten Son, that whosoever believeth in him should not perish, but have everlasting life." Be blessed.

Jerrold Prothero September 9, 2025 at 10:13 AM Thank you, David, that is well and thoughtfully composed. I have borrowed from Greek mythology myself, so I also appreciate the genre. David Bailey September 10, 2025 at 9:17 AM Thanks Jerrold. Yes I feel the Greek myths are as relevant as ever. The Greeks were canny psychologists! I must try to navigate to your poems now. Best wishes