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
Copyright © David Bailey | Year Posted 2025
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