Leda and the Swan, by Anca Rotar

Leda and the Swan, after the lost original by Michelangelo, by Cornelis Bos (Flanders). Exact date unknown, prob. 1530-1550.

Leda and the Swan

Oh love,
I said I despised gold,
and, honestly, I do,
for I am no Danaë 
in her underground prison,
hoping for her avenger.
No, I am just hoping for you
and whatever comes will come
as long as you do.


Oh, come again, love.
and from this forsaken land
of black and white,
I, the unbroken,
the snow-white warrior queen
will cry out to the winds
to all who can hear
the name of he who owns me.


Oh, I will give it up, love,
I’ll spit on my own shield,
leave all behind but the naked flesh
begging you to bite from it.
I’ll wrap my legs around you – 
oh, but no prisoner you are,
Just come again, my love.


I laughed at the ash heart in the sky
until the arrow shot through,
and it goes deep, my love –
the softness and the cruelty
of you pinning me down.
This earth is small enough –
I’ll whimper if you want me to,
I’ll laugh with heathen joy –
Just help me take off this skin, my love –
It’s nothing but a disguise.
The feathers and the cries –
they’re all I ever wanted.
My love, please,
come down.

Anca Rotar

Anca Rotar is a Romanian-born writer of poetry and fiction. She was driven to writing by her love of stories and verse, as well as by an ever-increasing fascination with mysteries and the unknown. Her biggest complaint is that there are too many interesting things in the world and hardly enough time to discover them all.
http://ancaspoemsandstories.wordpress.com
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