Inspired by all three images for today.
Casandra
No one listens,
none believe
my auguries, the dreams
in crystal, upside-down
temples, cities, walls atilt,
a second away from tumbling
into the sea
They toast from the precipice
at sunset, the sky blood-red
and the wine,
spilled–
I tremble, a cup plunges into the sea–
the fish swim on unconcerned–
I see their eyes, their eyes
meet mine
eyes on eyes
as I fall
in a vision.
But I am a woman, chattel,
a prize of war.
No one listens
I am once again participating in Paul Brookes’ April Ekphrastic Challenge. Each day, I will post my poem(s) here. You can see the art and read the other responses by going to Paul’s site here.
The artists are Gaynor Kane, John Phandal Law, and Anjum Wasim Dar. Thank you for your wonderful and inspiring art!
This is slightly revised, and I’m sharing it with dVerse Open Link Night with this recording.
Yesterday and today: Merril's historical musings 
Still, and seemingly, forever. (K)
Yes, true.
Wow, what a powerful poem! I could see this one in a literature anthology.
Wow! Thank you so much, Liz! 💙
You’re welcome, Merril!
Reblogged this on The Wombwell Rainbow.
Thank you, Paul.
Great one! Yes, powerful. And we did complementary poems again too. I thought of libations when I saw that painting, and you picked up on it too. Cassandra was such a tragic figure, and one for our times—no one listened because they didn’t like what she said.
Thank you!
You’re right, we did. 😊
She is such a tragic figure.
I’ll be back later this evening (I hope) to read your Oracle poem. I can’t read it until I’ve written mine, and I haven’t had time yet.
I understand! I still have to write a poem for the ekphrastic challenge, and I have that Zoom event in a few hours. . .😊
Good luck with it! I hate those things.
It will be fun to see/hear the others. I will probably be tongue-tied and have a cat crawling all over me. . .
Ha ha! That’s what we have cats for. You’ll have a handy excuse if the cat gets your tongue 🙂
🤣🤣🐈
I understand that Cassandra feeling, both about the climate crisis and the hormonal health issues women face. I like the way you evoke her emotions!
Thank you very much, Ingrid. I’m both pleased this resonated, while also saddened.
Another profound message for us all
Thank you so much, Derrick.
This is a great poem so tell telling easy on the ears and relatable Merril! 💖
Thank you very much, Cindy! 💙
You’re very welcome Merril! 💖
I am always amazed how you can look at three images (especially these ones) and come up with this. Beautifully done. No one listens, indeed.
Thank you so much, Dale. I had to go back to see what the art was, and I can’t even tell you how I got to Casandra, but somehow one thought led to another. . .
Hahaha! I bet… And very interesting that you did. I, of course, did not know the story so I googled it…
Thank you. I didn’t think to explain who she was. Sorry, but I’m glad you looked her up. 🙂
I’m not very in the know on all sorts of mythology – I must read my niece’s book!
I never studied mythology in school, so it’s just what I’ve picked up and read on my own, too.
This is such an incredibly poignant and atmospheric poem, Merril 😀 I am especially drawn to the image of the cup that plunges into the sea. I feel there is an omen there. Thank you so much for joining in the LIVE session 💝💝
Thank you so much, Sanaa! I’m pleased you thought so. Yes, omens. Casandra foretold what would happen, but she was cursed that no one would believe her. Thank you for hosting!
Merril this is stunning..line by line (that wine spilled stanza…!) in tone, in pace, and daunting message…wonderful…
Thank you so much, Ain!
A beautifully vivid poem, Merril, kind of Arthurian but also like I mentioned before, it reminded me of a tarot card I can’t place (I haven’t seen the artwork it pertains to though). But it had that mythical type feeling. I was also drinking wine as you shared it so I was totally feeling it, ha ha! ❤
Thank you very much. Well, it was myth since it’s called Casandra, and I can understand the tarot card.😊
Beautiful reading Merril. So enjoyed listening to you.
Thank you so much, Grace!
Very nicely done Lillian. I enjoyed hearing you read your poem.
It’s Merril. But thank you, Dwight! 😊
OOPs! I am sorry. Must be getting old! :>)
It’s easy to type the wrong name when you’re going through comments. 😊
This is especially true on d’Verse, where are twenty or thirty posts to read.
Very telling, it reminded me somehow of California, and architects building houses on stilts against cliffs, on God’s own personal Etch-A-Sketch.
Thank you. That’s so interesting. Yes, I can see how you went there.
I do love the way that you describe the voices silenced simply because no-one listens
Thank you very much, Björn!
What an impactful verse, Merril, very profound! It was wonderful listening to you read it. 💙
Thank you so much, Punam! 💙
You are so welcome.