Athena A Shape Shifting Goddess Poem by Terence George Craddock

Athena in the Iliad a goddess with an ability
to transform her appearance to disguise
sometimes called Glaukopis 'owl-eyed'
or 'bright-eyed' gleaming silvery eyes
Athena flies away as an eagle after Zeus
forbids her to interfere in the Trojan war
Athena appears as a waterfowl to deceive
Ares to stop him from fighting for the Trojans

Athena in the Odyssey often appears
as an owl or a falcon to guide Odysseus
his son Telemachus where why when?
Athena transforms herself into a tiger
to scare away suitors who are trying
to marry Odysseus' wife Penelope?

Athena possessed many skills abilities
as goddess of war wisdom and crafts
Athena invented many useful items
the ship chariot plow rake weaving pottery
Athena a skilled warrior strategist helped
many heroes to complete their quests
Athena possessed many strange powers
immortal strong intelligent could fly

turn invisible deception create illusions
Athena possesses power to weave hallucinations
Athena possesses power of body transformations
Athena turns Medusa into a snake-haired monster
Athena held in awe esteem dominates Athenian lives
Athena represented by a snake or a serpent symbolizes

Athena's wisdom Athena's connection to the earth
why is a snake wise connection to earth means?
Athena represented by a snake or transformations
manifesting like Zeus turning into specific animals
Athena linked to rams eagles tigers leopards lions
other cats to reflect her courage strength fierceness?
in war or ancient origins with earlier ancient goddess
cultures civilizations associated with birds snakes?

Athena feline qualities courage strength fierceness
essential as a protector of civilization culture cities
symbolizing her power authority over wild beasts
an ancient world power community united protects
Athena's attributes in myths cults depicted sometimes
with a tiger skin or a leopard skin on shield or helmet

screams fierce symbolic abilities Athena protects us


Terence George Craddock (Afterglows Echoes Of Starlight)
Copyright © Terence George Craddock