The Ladies of Horror
Picture-Prompt Writing Challenge!

Aspects of the Goddess  
by Alex Grehy

I am the goddess incarnate, infinite, glorious.

Why did you forget that? Did you ever know?

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Let me teach you now.

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When we first met, I was the maiden, still in school,

pure, accomplished, role model, leader, top of the class. 

The goddess of wisdom lived in me, cultured, shrewd.

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Why did you just see a plaything?

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We married, young, by the blessing of our parents;

I, a gift given, much more than the worth of my dowry

The abundant goddess lived in me, wealthy, optimistic.

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Why did you just see the gold?

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Your betrayals aged me, long before the years could wreak

their havoc, as you paraded in public with your mistresses.

The mother goddess raged in me, furious, frustrated. 

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Why did you just see an unworthy husk?

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I conceived a child, from love, not by your seed, but by 

your example, as your bastards brashly roamed the town.

The mother goddess grew in me, nurturing, satisfied.

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Why did you just see your honour shamed?

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You threw acid in my face, beat me, sought to break me;

My son, born in a savage tide of blood, torn from life too soon.

The goddess of justice rose in me, wrathful, fierce.

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Why did you just see a transgressor crushed?

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I smile, my eyes downcast, focused on my task. I carve 

these lessons in your flesh, deep, deeper, you have a lot to learn.

The unbroken goddess fulfills me, triumphant, vengeful, free.

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Why did you just see me as your property?

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Blood dyes your skin brighter than henna as I carve the last design,

then cleanse the cuts with lemon juice, and hold the mirror high.

The goddess of death is in me now, do you finally see?

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Fiction © Copyright Alex Grehy
Image courtesy of Pixabay.com

More from author Alex Grehy:

After a lifetime of writing technical non-fiction, Alex Grey is fulfilling her dream of writing poems and stories that engage the reader’s emotions. Her work has been featured by a wide range of publications including Siren’s Call, Raconteur, Bookends Review, and Toasted Cheese. One of her comic poems is also available via a worldwide network of public fiction dispensers managed by French publisher, Short Edition. Her ingredients for contentment are narrow boating, greyhounds, singing and chocolate. It is a sweet life, yet Alex’ original view of the world has led to her best friend to say ‘For someone so lovely, you’re very twisted!

Please click here to discover more!