Yes, I know what it was like
to be split open in a place
you thought was a temple.
And yes, I know the curl of your body
as another woman loomed.
A gorgon who moved only
to spit at your pain. The venom
of her words as she cast you out. 
I too know the rage that twisted 
your face when you realised that the men
would not leave you alone
in your shame. How they tried 
to pull you from your cave, headfirst.
Your hair twisted and hissed
but no one would bind you with your locks
again and then they called you monster. 
Medusa, your name meant protector 
and I know that was all 
you tried to do for yourself. 
 
I dream of the scales 
of your hair, and how they
would wrap their tendrils 
in mine. Of tipping over 
the statues and covering 
Perseus's shield with the rubble
of every hero that came before him.  
But those are only dreams.
Poseidian continued feasting
below the seas. Zeus bore down
on girl after girl. Apollo cursed
the ones who would not want
him back. And your head hung
from the hand of your killer while
he raised his sword in salute.