he came at night
every night he hung around
like a stinking cloud
whispering vileness
I said it clearly
no no no
Hera was on my side
and set the all-seer to guard me
but with some kind of glamour
every single eye
all hundred of them
closed
lulled by cloud lullaby
when the clouds go
you can see me
white as the moon
my horns as sharp
as any virgin’s
in my spot under the olive tree
I shimmer like lunar veils
but that temenos that holy place
was plagued
by a cloud of gadflies
no matter how fast I ran
no matter how much dust
this heifer kicked up
no matter where I went
the gadfly stuck to me
sent me mad
until I arrived at the sea
at the crossing now named for me
Bosphoros cow bearer
I swam those black waters
reached the far shore
the fire god calmed me
said keep on travelling
one day we’ll sing for you
Io with the moon in your eyes
Bosphoros: Greek: bous cow; phoros bearing.
Notes
Every Greek myth is full of puzzles and stories that surprise when you come to them with a fresh eye. Coming to these stories through the eyes of a cow unlocked a number of things. How important is the name Bosphoros when you realise it means cow bearer. It gives the story a different dimension.
The story of rape is told here, the virgin who says no three times, and the older woman who sets up a system of guards so that the virgin is safe. But few women are safe from the predations of men – or bulls – who are out to have their way – to rape.
There is also the inner strength of Io in facing her trauma. And an incredible beauty which is what women hold within. She is the crescent moon with all the potential of the full moon.
This poem is from Cow (2011)