Medusa at the Supermarket

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’.

Also linked to dVerse Poets Pub‘s Open Link Night on 12th September and dVerse Live on 14th September 2024, and What’s Going On? for Susan’s ‘hair’ prompt on 2nd October 2024.

53 thoughts on “Medusa at the Supermarket”

  1. 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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  12. As someone who loves writing and reading mythological poems 😀 I loved yours so so much, Kim! I can almost picture the image “the darkest sunglasses pushed back on my head.” Gorgeously rendered 🩷🩷

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  20. “the murmur of Muzak in the aisle
    is accompanied by a moan
    as nearby shoppers turn to stone”

    What a fantasy, with a sly build up and then this pounce! Brilliant, perfect for the Hair! prompt.

    Liked by 1 person

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