A hiss of hair
uncoils
as I avert my stare,
lowering turquoise
eyelids, mascara
coated lashes brushing
my pale powdered skin.
I’m in the fruit section;
with one hand I caress
a pomegranate,
with the other I push
back the stray curl.
A couple and their little girl
knock me with a trolley, unaware
of me standing there,
the darkest sunglasses pushed
back on my head. I peer
at their shopping, turn and smile,
and the murmur of Muzak in the aisle
is accompanied by a moan
as nearby shoppers turn to stone.
Kim M. Russell, 30th April 2024
Arnold Böcklin, Medusa, c. 1878, Germanisches Nationalmuseum, Nuremberg
On the final day of Na/GloPoWriMo, at NaPoWriMo the last prompt of the year challenges us to write a poem in which the speaker is identified with, or compared to, a character from myth or legend, as in Claire Scott’s poem ‘Scheherazade at the Doctor’s Office’.
writing in north norfolk 
Every NaPoWriMo, a poem stands out as a postcard for me to remember respective poets. For me, this is it for you. Thank you, Kim, and I am grateful for sharing your knowledge throughout this month.
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Thank you so much, Gloria! Each year it’s a new journey, and always a joy to meet up with you all.
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Wow!
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Thanks Ken!
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Yay! So glad you chose my girl, Medusa! And so well done. It’s been a pleasure writing with you, Kim!
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Thank you, Elizabeth! I’m going to miss the daily poems with you and all the other poets. I hope to see you on the poetry trail soon.
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Poor Medusa. Perseus was possibly the nastiest little shit of all the Greek ‘heroes’.
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Men!
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Heroes, all of them.
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A marvel!!
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Thanks so much, Vidya!
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