Have you heard
that goddesses
can make animals?
out of nothingness?
?I've always liked snakes.
?And he was a pretty little thing,?
a silent golden asp?
with the sweetest black eyes,?
cold as obsidian,?
and tiny poison needles for teeth.
?She had such slender ankles,?
pale and lovely like the rest of her. ?
Have you heard?
about how pretty her hair looked,
a waterfall of silky raven black,
fanned out and tangled
in the dulled flaxen wheat?
There were bluebells in her hair.
I wilted them as she fell to the ground.
That was a nice touch, I thought.
And he was so heartbroken,
the poor thing.
That gorgeous face, all
red and streaming with tears--
all humans are ugly
when they cry, even him.
But I was beautiful
when I cried and begged Hades
to give him a chance.
I'm a very good actress,
have you heard?
I knew he'd look back--
he's a true romantic,
that one. He couldn't wait
to see that cold, pale face. Well,
I suppose I helped with that
by calling out with her voice
to turn around. "My love," I said,
"my love, let me see you.
It is dark, so dark, and you
are my light. O, let me
see your beautiful face--"
and he turned, hope and love
shining in those gorgeous eyes,
because he could see the sunlight
and thought it was safe
to turn. Have you heard
about the jealous nymphs?
They'll tear him limb from limb,
those delicate hands,
those lovely fingers.
His spirit won't appear damaged,
though. I'll make sure of that.
And Eurydice? Oh, she'll be
kept far away from him. I'm not
fond of sharing my playthings,
have you heard?