4. Penelope's Dream.

Through the wall and window the boughs grope, finger
the massive darkness in her bedroom, pry into the
dream, which creaks open and releases a spasm of
starlight. Her son's safety will be woven of such
glimmering. But the lost husband? That story requires
a different tongue.

5. Nausikaa's Linens.

The virgin's trousseau of cloud and mist: she runs
her fingers through the atmosphere in which she will
robe herself as bride, upon sheets of dew she will
spread on the bed for the husband. Waiting, she is
cleft, gap, an opening between boughs. The sea calls
her, but can it pronounce her name?

6. Eurymedousa's Fire.

Girlhood is a flame. The princess has stepped from
sea-fire to house-fire, and she flickers, the sun is
in her eyes, she is keen to sway up straight. The
olive tree imitates her but it is the young palm that
knows her best. Affection kneels. Affection tends the
coals. Affection, with hard hands, a stolen past.