Harpy

First Conversation from the Bestiary

Harpy: Noun. “[A] fabulous creature, probably a wind spirit. The presence of harpies as tomb figures, however, makes it possible that they were also conceived of as ghosts. In Homer’s Odyssey they were winds that carried people away. Elsewhere, they were sometimes connected with the powers of the underworld. Homer mentions one Harpy called Podarge (Swiftfoot). Hesiod mentions two, Aello and Okypete (Stormswift and Swiftwing).

These early Harpies were in no way disgusting. Later, however, especially in the legend of Jason and the Argonauts, they were represented as birds with the faces of women, horribly foul and loathsome.” (Encyclopaedia Britannica)

The Harpy has come to me again, the Harpy with her eyes that swallow up her own face in glittering midnight.

She does not speak. She has never spoken. Her language is wordless; it pours into me as honey, thick and slow and golden. Her language is a longing. It lies curled within me like a seed, waiting for me to speak. But I am more silent yet than she. The seed festers. My arms ache.

The Harpy says: You are lonely.

(Yes.)

The Harpy says: You are heavy.

(Yes.)

The Harpy says: It has begun again, and you are afraid. It is the same fear you have carried since you were a child. It is the same pain, the same desire. It is always the same.

(Yes.)

The Harpy says: You are tired.

(My arms ache.)

The Harpy weeps. She says: What have you done with your wings?

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Seek the forest. Feed the wolf. Be brave, be clever, be kind.