This is a repost thrown up by thoughts from the first chapter of a book I've begun reading (... that's good going for me!), entitled "Captivating - Unveiling The Mystery of a Woman's Soul". The authors contend that there are three deep-seated desires in the heart of every woman that really make her come alive: to be romanced; to play an irreplaceable role in a great adventure and to unveil beauty. I was trying to think of iconic women who had possibly been perceived as achieving all three... Sadly, I am hard-pressed to find any whose lives in some way didn't seem to end in tragedy... or am I being "soulish" here?! Ach well, I was reminded of Helen of Troy who reminded me of this poem which reminds me it's time for bed! :)) K xx

LEDA’S DAUGHTER


Born to take flight,
she hatched different from the rest,
her shell preserved
with stunning beauty.

A brooding presence governed her life;
his regal wingspan hung in the clouds.

She would look to the stars and
watch for white feathers falling,
petalled whispers foretelling
his moonlit return.

With them she lined a nest,
adorned her raven hair,
powdered her perfumed body,
hung a web of downy dreams –

and waited.

With smouldering fire he softly roused
her drowsy beachside sleep.
Slowly igniting her pillowed desire
he seared the virgin cotton.

Lost together in snowstorm of feathers
their glistening swan-necks entwined.

While out on vast red-bloodied waters
countless warships burned.