The fallen goddess stands alone
on a battered empty shore.
she glares out at the foamy seas
she used to so adore.
Her patrons have forsaken her
forgotten and abused
Stripped of her brightest rainbow robes
new mortal body bruised.
Now naked and alone she weeps
as her wings fall to the waves.
And as she grieves her shoulders bleed
she shivers, screams and raves.
Her mother watches from the clouds
her eyes are shadow hazed.
Her fathers roars are in the crests
of the water foaming, crazed.
I was goddess of the rainbow
of the storm and wind and rain.
I once ran Hera's messages
across Olympus' plain.
Now here I stand a mortal girl
no life no hope no worth.
Soon I will die a mortal death
on harsh, unpleasant earth.
Though suicides call is tempting
I am too strong by far.
I know that someday I might find
my way back to the stars.
The last of my immortal strength
drags down a heavy cloud.
I wrap it twice around my waist
a coarse and blackened shroud.
I turn my back on darkened skies
away from sandy beach.
A new world waits ahead of me
freedom within my reach.
No longer running errands or
listening to mortals whine.
Now I can do just as I please
my life is only mine.
Facing an uncertain future
full of pain and fear and loss
I thank my one-time family
for sending me across.
For while cold death may steal my soul
away within the night.
I have the chance to be reborn
brought back into the light.
Author notes
*Work in progress*
Inspired by the picture and Irys, the rainbow goddess of Greek mythology. Irys was a messenger goddess with rainbow wings. She also took the gods oaths and vows over a bowl of water from the river styx and filled up the clouds so that it might rain.
Irys was the daughter of a sea god and either a goddess of the clouds or an ocean nymph depending on where you get the information.
For more information:
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Iris_%28goddess%29
http://www.paghat.com/irispurplegem.html
In a list
A contest entry
- Shot Down Angel by Dead Hair.
450 points, ended July 28, 2007, 15 entries
Gold trophy winner
• next poem in this contest, remove from contest - Goddess of Rain Contest by Ted E Bare.
300 points, ended July 19, 2007, 7 entries
Honorable mention
• next poem in this contest, remove from contest - PIF: Gods and Goddesses by SerenityNChains.
575 points, ended November 19, 2007, 9 entries
Honorable mention
• next poem in this contest, remove from contest
Please tell me what you think
Comments
1 - 7 of 7
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A fantastiic poem, full of sadness, and still full of hope. Like I always say....hope is all Pandora left us, hold onto it tightly. A wonderful entry.
Blessed be,
Billie Jean
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I love mythology, especially when it has something to do with forsaken creature/lost souls like Irys. Thanks for the links too, I'll be sure to check up on her!
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It's just like anything when life pushes you down, you have to get back up and try to stand. I'm glad the goddess never gave up when it all looked bleak. I want to thank you for entering my "Goddess of Rain" contest.
Ted E -
amazing.
well, I thought that the poem described the picture so well...perfectly in fact. I also liked how at first the poem seemed more sad, depressing...like this woman was cast down to earth, leaving all she'd ever known...but in the end, it turned out to be a bit...hopeful. Which I found to be the perfect ending! I have to agree with the others that this piece has quite the perfect rhyme and flow. I really loved reading it!
what a wonderful piece!
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beautiful
well i love the wording its not exactly simple but not too difficult i think as long as the pic is there with it it is very understandable.
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So good
What a classic poem. It was a bit like reading Byron. I like the way you’ve taken a Greek myth and used it to fashion such a wonderful poem. The first stanza sets the scene brilliantly and then the poem just takes off. I like the rhyme and rhythm of this poem it really skips along. Best of all I like the depiction of Irys, she may have lost her immortal powers but she still has the heart and soul of a goddess. Thank you
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This is extraordinary! I was so drawn
into the story and the perfect rhythm
of the poem I forgot where I was! You
certainly have talent, and I will be
keeping my eye on you....
Love, Lane
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