Scylla

Written By: Audrey Pomeroy
Graphic By: Jessye Fan

Six heads
Six mouths
Six growling maws

Six snouts
Twelve eyes
And sharpened claws

White teeth
Green eyes
Long scaly tail

I lay
In wait
For men to sail

I watch my prey 
from far below
‘Neath churning waves
I see the bow

A great large boat
With big strong men
They search the water
Once and again

They sense I’m here
Below murky black tide
They watch their captain,
Their fearless guide

I taste their fear slick
On the walls of my cave
The souls of young men
I’ve long learned to crave

They made me this way
Just a horrible beast
Once gorgeous and kind
With no need to feast

I once was a nymph
The fancy of all
Until jealous deities
Desired my fall

I was terribly poisoned
My legs turned to tail
I grew six more heads
My tanned skin turned pale

Now instead of ambrosia
I hunger for blood
My soul, once pure
Has turned now to mud

I rise from the water
Watch six torches burn
They just want their freedom
They beg and they yearn

Six men are gone
One to each of my jaws
Six men ripped apart
By now bloodstained claws

It brings me no joy
No thrill to my veins
I’m naught but a victim
My heads are my chains