By Chrystalla Christodoulou
One of the most famous sculptures in the Borghese Gallery in Rome is Gian Lorenzo Bernini’s Apollo and Daphne. The masterpiece captures the story of Daphne who after being pursued and harassed relentlessly by Apollo, asks her father – a river god – to save her by changing her body. In this piece I imagine Daphne’s last thoughts before she is turned into a tree.
God of light cannot get enough, he cannot let go of the dream bestowed on him by Cupid’s arrow.
I twist against him, my voice hoarse from hours of yelling for help.
Destroy the beauty that has injured me, although my beauty has nothing to do with Apollo’s antics
In my desperation I call out in vain for someone to shift the space in between us, alter whatever it is he wants or change the body that destroys my life
Suddenly I feel a rush, a ferocious buzz go through my body as my flesh turns into bark. I don’t know how, but as soon as it starts I know that this is what is happening. My limbs grow heavier as I attempt to keep on running, my tongue sticks to the roof of my mouth which now tastes like grass. And my skin is now changing, I see it on my arms shifting colors and textures. In one last moment of brilliance I catch a glimpse of my fingers as they slowly turn into branches. Their growing leaves astound me, and for a second I forget what is happening. For a second I am a fairy, I have leafy fingers that could turn into paintbrushes, or maybe wings. I let out a laugh before my eyes close forever.
My sight is gone but the rest of my senses, I can tell, are stronger now. I can hear the god-boy’s cries, but they are indeed far away. I am rooted in this land, forever perhaps.
Yes, he is free to roam and boast, but he is nothing more than a boy. Maybe one day a branch of mine will strike him down. For now I am safe, I am rooted in this land, strong.
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