Leda

that day
Leda told us
she was floating
in the silver river
she didn't see
the black eyes watching
from the trembling reeds

a giant white wing
stole the sun
covered her face
a golden beak raked
her neck and breasts

she struggled kicked and fought
cold leathery feet
held her to the stones

she shouted
screamed and yelled
water filled her mouth
drowned her angry cries

afterwards
she still swam the river
her alien belly
gleamed in the water
her wide open eyes
searched the hostile sky

a sharp rock
clutched tight in her hand

Barbara Wood
Oakville, Ontario