Hylas And The Nymphs Poem by Maureen Pickford

They surfaced
on that long ago
mythological day.
Consumed, as they were,
by consumption;
they impatiently awaited
their hero.
Libidos to be sated;
they loved him at first sight.

Scheming,
they bobbed up and down
in the misty shallows,
trailing fronds of hair
behind their swan necks.

Fascinated,
he offered a sinewy arm,
at once grabbed and held.
'Pull him in, ' one whispered,
'Amongst us, he can dwell.
He's our handsome saviour,
sent to make us well.'

A trio of shivering
voices murmured,
'come with us
and unfurl
your soul
beneath our
watery world.'

Their sisters
quivering, beckoned, cajoled,
'We'll welcome you
into our fold.
Our tender love
will make you whole.'

Intrigued,
down he slipped.
Enticed under by his watery nymphs.
Down, down into the murky depths;
never destined to join his ship.
Lost forever to his sight;
that glittering prize
'The Golden Fleece'.

Heracles and his Argonaut
searched for him in vain.
Hylas, that hunky god of war,
was never seen again.