SHARON MORRIS

From Both Streams

It takes skill to avoid her gaze
that could turns us to stone,
Medusa, guardian of that other world
beyond the limits of life.
Her hair a mass of snakes;
snakes copulating in her stomach.

We must look at her indirectly
through a mirror.
This is how Perseus killed her,
(although it’s also said she never died).

Blood drained from her veins
was given to Aesculapius.
With blood from her right side he slays,
with blood from her left side he heals.

‘Just as you overhear people saying
that "the doctor prescribed such-and-such for him"
(like riding, or cold baths, or walking bare-foot…)
say this: "Nature prescribed illness for him."
Or blindness. Or the loss of a limb. Or whatever.'

Marcus Aurelius Meditations 5.8

Alina-Olimpia Gaci (Miron)

Sharon Morris
 

Din ambele suvoaie
 

E nevoie de maiestrie pentru a-i evita privirea
ce ne-ar putea preface in piatra,
Medusa, strajerul celeilalte lumi
dincolo de hotarele vietii.
Parul ii este o multime de serpi;
serpi ce se imperecheaza in stomacul ei.

Trebuie sa o privim mijlocit
printr-o oglinda.
Astfel a omorat-o Perseu
(desi se spune ca, de fapt, nu a murit).

Sangele scurs din venele sale
i-a fost dat lui Esculap.
Cu sangele din partea ei dreapta el ucide,
Cu cel din partea stanga vindeca.

“Asa cum ii auziti pe oameni spunand
ca ‘doctorul a prescris asta si asta pentru el’
(precum calaritul, sau bai reci, sau a umbla in picioarele goale…)
graiti acestea: ‘Natura i-a prescris boala’.
Sau orbirea. Sau pierderea unui madular. Sau orice.”

Marc Aureliu Meditatii 5.8