when he took you away on that forsaken day
were you to know
how soon your body would lay
as a trophy for all the men of greece.
young and old came and watched,
from thessaly to crete.
given from aphrodite—a gift, a curse,
my poor swan—born child,
whose beauty was a hearse.
first menelaus, then paris, then the world
taken without question;
no answer is needed from a girl.
and when that swan came down, no swan, but zeus
on leda who was told
she shouldn’t seduce.
did she know, like you, that punishment awaited?
your soft curves and dark hair
cannot go un-berated.
Safa Ali is an aspiring writer who combines academic rigor with a creative flare. Her distinctive voice in literature, nurtured by a profound love for poetry and art, resonates with readers seeking originality and depth.
Featured image by Hert Niks.
