Ariadne

[serai]

This is a piece I wrote some time ago, and just unearthed. Hope you all enjoy it.



Ariadne


"Don't leave me," she said,
with her shining face upturned,
drawing me into the cradle
of her dark and brightling eyes.
And because we were almost there,
almost there,
I gave in and agreed.
"No," I answered her.
"I won't leave you."

But when we set foot on the shore,
I looked out across that land
and realized:
This was not the country
I'd set out for.
And later, looking down
upon her sleeping face,
I suddenly saw what I had done.
It was panic,
I admit that now,
that made me leave her there,
dreaming like a sculpture
cast of ocean wrack and sand,
panic at the weight and depth of love.

For she was a princess,
and I?
I was just an adventurer.

How could I have
taken care of her?

---

Copyright reserved to the author

Comments

[fyrdrakken]

For she was a princess,
and I,
I was just an adventurer.

How could I have
taken care of her?

I liked that -- panic and fear of responsibility all wrapped up in guilt and rationalized as unworthiness...

Thanks!

[serai1.livejournal.com]

I'm glad you liked it. I always thought Theseus was a wanker, myself. But it all turned out well for Ariadne in the end, so I guess we must forgive him. :)

Re: Thanks!

[fyrdrakken]

I had to go look up Ariadne online at an encyclopedia of mythology to refresh my memory -- I had completely forgotten Theseus had anything to do with her. He did indeed screw her over -- but then, those Greek heroes weren't really noted for remaining faithful to the various women they seduced into aiding them on their adventures...