Steno's Lament

My sister raped by cruel Poseidon, sea

That swirled between her thighs--and I stood by

My sister--so I shared her fate. Men flee

Before my stare, for if they catch my eye

To milky marble they'll become--I stand

Them in my garden, stony sentinel

To warn away the wise and wary. Hand

Of bronze will bring my sculpture garden full

Of mutilated men. And yet, she's gone--

My sister, murdered by a mortal man--

Her scaly torso prone, the light of dawn

Reflecting in the blood that, headless, ran.

My gorgeous, gory garden can't assuage

My guilt, eternal guilt, eternal age.