Tuesday 14 June 2022

Poetry of Witchcraft: Circe's Test

I wrote this poem inspired by the painting Circe Offering the Cup to Ulysses, by John William Waterhouse, which is currently part of the Feminine Power exhibition at the British Museum (pictured here too). 

Circe is the enchantress in Greek mythology famous for turning men into pigs.

Circe's Test

Circe am I, and
this place is mine.
What brings you here
on this day so fine?

Whoever comes
to disturb my rest
must drink this cup
and take my test.

Circe am I, and
this place is mine.
Are you a man
or are you swine?

Another painting on show at Feminine Power is Ithell Colquhoun's Dance of the Nine Maidens. I earlier posted a poem inspired by that, called Should You Tell?

Picture caption and credit: Circe Offering the Cup to Ulysses, John William Waterhouse, England, 1891, oil on canvas © Gallery Oldham

Other previous related posts:
http://www.badwitch.co.uk/2022/06/book-review-feminine-power-exhibition.html
http://www.badwitch.co.uk/2022/05/launch-party-pics-feminine-power-at.html
http://www.badwitch.co.uk/2022/02/poetry-her-presence-lipogram-poem-in-e.html
http://www.badwitch.co.uk/2013/06/a-midsummer-nights-fairy-poem.html

2 comments:

Jane Mortimer said...

I like your poem, Lucya. It sounds a bit mischievous!

Badwitch said...

Thank you very much Jane!