The metallic stench of blood slicks the rock
and tickles the throat. No wonder snakes
suffocate the silence with their incessant hiss.
Some break away, alarmed by the cold kiss
of death; some curl and spiral, others loop
and tie themselves in knots. Spattered drupes
of carmine, like red snakes’ eyes, gleam –
Medusa no longer has the power to see.
Kim M. Russell, 25th October 2020
A poem I wrote for The Ekphrastic Review’s Medusa challenge but wasn’t selected, to which I’ve made a small change and am sharing with Poets and Storytellers United Writers’ Pantry.
writing in north norfolk 
The imagery flows effortlessly..the story unfolds and is really quite scary..
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Thank you, Jae.
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I think this is excellent Kim, the ancient myths are still quite fitting, especially in today’s world. ‘The Pantry’ looks like an interesting grouping.
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Thank you so much, Francis.
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Snakes or no snakes she still not quite the person to get to close to. Come to think of it none of the Greek gods and creatures were!
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True!
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Ekphrast-icky delicious. I had to look up “drupes”, which only added to the Icky-licious narrative. Thanks for sharing, KR. I think you met the challenge wonderfully, for what my opinion’s worth.
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Thank you kindky, Ron.
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Oh, poor Medusa! (I always felt she was given a bad deal.) The poem is marvellous!
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Thank you, Rosemary. I think there is a lot more to her, if only we knew her side of the story.
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I think it’s a stunner of a piece. The imagery is outstanding.
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Thanks so much, Rommy.
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A dark tale. Happy Sunday Kim
Much💛love
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Thank you, Gillena! Happy Sunday and much love to you!
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Very vivid scene. I never pictured it before, all the severed snakes. She is deserving of our pity though. She didn’t make herself such a monster, after all. The story has two very different sides to it.
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Thank you, Lisa. She’s definitely misunderstood because we never got her side of the story.
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By the time I was done reading, my eyes were bulging more than the ones in the image. Wonderfully vivid imagery can do that to the senses. No, I refused to say what the stench of blood did to my throat.
Really good one, Kim. Shocking and rich.
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Deepest thanks, Magaly.
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A quick glance at that image will give me bad dreams tonight! Great write.
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Thanks Bev!
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I enjoyed reading your poetry … ‘Spattered drupes of carmine’ ~ love these words most.
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Thank you so much, Helen.
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This is a good reflection on the painting. (mine wasn’t selected either…I have piles of them) You a K ways work well with myth. (K)
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Thank you, Kerfe. I got the impression they always have plenty of poems to choose from.
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I think that’s true. I don’t know how Lorette manages to do all she does.
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I think there’s some Halloween inspiration coming through. I love the verbs.
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Thank you, Colleen.
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So deliciously dark and so much to love about the way you have wonderfully crafted this, evokes all the smells and feelings.
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Thanks Paul.
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My pleasure Kim.
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Dark and so fitting for the covidness we find ourselves living. Great writing!
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Thank you, Susie!
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