I’m going through a bit of a Greek mythology phase at the moment. I’m fascinated by the myriad of ‘minor’ deities they have to represent nature – they literally have thousands.
While going for a walk in the woods down by the river, I got to thinking about ancient Greece and – if I were alive back then – how many deities I would be walking amongst.
So I wrote a poem about it.
Hope you like it. Stay safe and well during these turbulent times under lockdown.
A WALK AMONG THE GODS
By David Milligan-Croft.
On my morning walk, the goddess of the forest
Spread her roots before me to form a stairway,
So that I may walk down the steep slope of the valley
To where the river naiads skittered above rocks,
Meandering over Gaea’s flesh toward the open arms of Thalassa.
The sun goddess winked and flickered through the branches,
Scintillating off the peaks of the river’s crown.
The sky goddess held up her sister
Enveloping her in a lustrous, cerulean blue cloak.
The goddess of the wind chastised the reeds on the riverbank,
Tousled the leaves in the trees and held aloft the birds,
Who sang their song to the nymphs and protogenoi,
As automobiles droned in the distance, oblivious to the rapture
Of the forest.
I feel this way when I’m outside- the very air is alive. I love the idea of the there being layers of beings, people, spirits, concrete and ephemeral, all together.
Me too. I’m so glad you feel this way. It’s also lovely to see Mother Nature begin to heal herself while us pesky humans are out of the way. 🙂
Yes. I hope somehow we can keep some of it going? When things settle?
Let’s hope so. Perhaps Mother Nature won’t be as lenient next time.
Yes. I have wondered myself that if we don’t take heed now…???
Lovely poem. I think Mother Nature is giving us a wake up call, and we better learn from it!
Thank you. I think those who want to lift the lockdown and get the economies going want a return to the old ways. If we do that, Mother Nature might not give us a second chance.
I agree with you. I h ope they are in the minority and that the majority of people will learn a valuable lesson.