Io the traveller- (Chapter 3)

We flew into Kuala Lumpur airport miles from the city. I went to the Business class area and Io followed me in.

"How far are you going?" I asked.

She merely said "You first".

"Adelaide" I said.

She beamed "So am I." 

"You haven't a ticket or a passport have you? You just make them think so. Do you think you are Cleopatra or someone like that?" 

"Well I'm better than her. Haven't you heard of Isis?" She pouted.

"I thought that was a story the Egyptians made up of you swimming in the sea to escape Hera tormenting you with gadflies."

"I am a good swimmer, but an insect spray would have been good."

I shook my head "You really have bewitched me? Why did you pick on me Io?"

"You are the only one that understands" With that she gave me a hug as we headed for the lounge together.

We settled in some easy chairs and I said I was off to the shower. "We could bathe together" she suggested. 

I shook my head. "That is forbidden, the facilities are segregated. You go ahead, I can get one later." So off she went. Later she came back all fresh and dewy. So I went had my shower and then we talked about  Adelaide and what she wanted to do. I would let my family know I was back and mention I had met a friend on the plane who might stay with me.

I still wondered why she fled Greece but such matters were slight compared with how much I fancied her.

As I looked up she smiled and said "I've changed my name".

I raised my eyebrows.

"I am Violet S.Inarchus and I'm Greek on holiday to see friends in Melbourne. That is near you isn't it?"

"Only about 450 miles away and I think you have put an "r" for Robin in your family's name. I am flattered."

She grinned. "Yes, you are quite good Robin!"

331 words

 Image  of Kuala Lumpur airport found at www.pixabay.com

Io and my first night (Chapter 2)

 

Io and I were passengers on the plane. She chose her food, her drinks and accepted the toiletries a stewardess gave her.

Io was a Naiad, Inachus's daughter. Her job was to frighten people or sing as they drowned. 

She was Hera's handmaiden who Zeus fancied. Hera suspected this as he ravished any girl turning them into heifers. Hera wasn't fooled. Seeing a heifer grazing she asked Zeus if she could have one as a present. Zeus couldn't refuse so agreed. Hera then set hundred eyed Argus to keep watch on Io day and night. Zeus desperate to possess Io gets Hermes to kill Argus. This clearly is not an easy task as even when Argus is sleeping half his eyes are still open. So Hermes has a chat with Argus and they talk all night. Hermes telling him boring tales so eventually all of Argus eyes closed. Hermes then kills Argus so Zeus can have Io.

I guessed Io would be cross when I asked why she chose business class rather than cattle class for this trip. She seemed puzzled at first explaining that I was the only person on the plane that she had met before so naturally she chose to sit by me. Suddenly she twigged the cattle joke and was furious; but then relaxed.

“That is what I like about you, Robin.” She said with a cute smile,” You are not scared of me.”

Changing the subject “Should I be?”

“Just don’t let me down.”

“Have you flown before?”

She looked at me, “How did you know?”

“I didn’t, I was just asking.”

Satisfied I was telling the truth she said, “I flew with Icarus with his new wings when he was  escaping from Crete. I was on the isle of Samos with Hera when she made me her handmaiden. He couldn’t keep flying safely. He just had to fly high to the sun just for fun."

“Just to impress you?" I suggested

“Don’t be jealous Robin.”

"I am not" I lied. 

“It wasn’t my fault about Icarus” she murmured sleepily.

When I woke she was holding my hand. 

Word count  352

Kokkinolaimis - Robin

Image found at www.thebusinesstraveller.com

Attracted to water

 

I was attracted to water

When I was but a young boy

Whether it was a rippling stream

Or a slow drifting river

Even lakes silently calm

Where I'd be on most weekends

My nearest water close home

Midst of trees whispering on

Was where I'd go out to hide

With birds chirping in their nests

Which silent came as I came

'Til they knew I was a friend

As the sun arced high in the sky

And butterflies glided around

I wished too that I had wings

In azure sky flying high

Arcing over hills and bends

Leaves settling on surface day's end

Image found at www.pixabay.com

I woke with a start

 

I woke with a start
Was that a bump?
It was pitch dark
Who is that there?
Had to check up
Put my robe on
Quiet down the stair
Open the back door
Hair stands on end
Am grabbed from behind
What is going on?
Whisked off my feet
Can't even call out
Put into a boat
And Charon he says
"Coin in my hand"
Then opens my mouth
I panic and squirm
A tooth he extracts
My gold capped one
He examines it well
And loosens his grip
I'm over the side
In the River Styx
The river of death
Swim to the shore
Run back home fast
In through the door
Climb up the stairs
Get into my bed
Am asleep in a sec
Dead to the world
Wake soaked in sweat

That wasn't a dream
I have cheated death
Just for a bit!


(Image by Cecil Keating found on cover of Penguin Classics book  "Satirical Sketches" by Lucian. 1961)


This poem written many years ago was one of the first poems I ever posted. The coin in the mouth (for my gold tooth) was the tradition to pay the mythical ferryman for the journey across the River Styx to Hades in ancient Greek tradition.

Io and me (Chapter 1)

  

I made a stopover in Athens on the way home to Australia. During safety instructions a girl passenger came down the aisle; who was being directed to sit alongside me. She had virtually no luggage, just one large red leather handbag.

I nodded, then settled back down again. She looked all around checked her seat controls and was about to recline her seat so had to dissuade her until after take off. She complied but grinned at me cheekily and said “So you are a Taurus too.” As the plane taxied.

“We’ve met before.” She continued.

“Have we?”

“At the Acropolis"

“Yes, but the temple of Hera looks a bit sad now"...

“That bitch! They should have pulled the whole lot down.”

“Well that is what the Greek gods were like" I laughed.

She grinned "Why do you think I am here?”

I introduced myself, “I’m Robin, going to Australia.” I held out my hand to shake hers. She looked doubtful but placed her hand in mine. What a beautiful hand it was; soft and ridiculously sexy. Thinking hard she finally said “Io” with a tiny shrug of her shoulders.

That’s Greek isn't it?

“No! I am a Naiad.”

The stewardess came with drinks. While we were choosing I guessed she was pulling my leg.

 “So your Dad was Inachus, but your Mum was....?”

“Melia.”

“Was it? Well you’re Greek you should know.”

“I am not Greek!’ She said getting worked up. “I am Arcadian.”

“Yes, right. So, you’re going to Australia?”

“Is that where we are going?”

“How did you get on without knowing where you are going?”

Ignoring me, she said “I needed someone to help me.”

Smilng seductively placing hand on mine with pleading eyes. I was electrified. With my last fragment of sanity I said “You probably don’t need me at all.”

“You’re right,” she said “I just thought it might be fun with a younger man.”

“Io,” I said “I am not young”

“How old do you think I am then?’” She replied flicking her ten fingers up hundreds of times, finishing with just four. “It will work out.”

I had an uneasy feeling about this, she must be about 3500 years old

368 words

Readers; in case you are wondering; yes, there is more to come!

Illustration from www.Pixabay.com

Days long past

 

And do you yearn for days long past?

When there was post in the mail box

Our chipped china was still used

As it was wartime with little to buy

Dad mended broken pots and pans

Growing vegetables in the garden

And us kids wore threadbare clothes

Which mother mended at the weekend

She worked too, and had job to make ends meet

As most fathers were away fighting the war

With wives crying for them every night

Giving the kids soapy baths all right

Showers no around in those days

No one drove then petrol was rationed

Shops never had catalogues in those times

They only sold what was available

So tyhere were queues everywhere

And as the day would draw to a close

Windows blackout curtains would be drawn

So that light from inside would not shine through

Which might be seen by enemy aircraft

Flyng overhead set to bomb factories

Looking for the designated targets

Or drop their bombs anywhere they could

While us kids slept in air raid shelters

Listening to their drone overhead

As they searched the target that was set

But as I was youngest one at home

Was usually fast asleep quite unaware

Image found at www.pinterest.com

View over the ocean

 

“Let's go for a walk" invited Song one beautiful morning. I know a place where there is a great view of the sea". She pointed to the hills behind them. Dum should come too".

What are you planning, Song?” Yum asked.

Song smiled, “I have a yearning. I want more; I want to see more; I want to learn more.” Yum looked sad  saying, “Perhaps happiness is staying and living our lives safely”.

Dum caught up with them after he had left the children playing with their friends in the village. They climbed up the mountainside higher than ever before. A light breeze blew their hair and the smell of the trees and the flowers was different to the plain below.

Yum found a small open area to look out over the ocean. Song sat too to admire the view. While they chatted Yum continued to observe the horizon and suddenly called out, “Look, look far in the distance do you see what I see?” all the while pointing with her fingers to where she was looking. Dum of course only had one eye so he said “What do you see?”

Song just smiled. “The sky is so clear we can see far, far away when we look out from here. Do you see it? It looks like another land...I want to go there.”

Dum looked at Yum who now clearly felt like crying. She loved Song but didn’t want to lose her. So then Dum asked Song “How will you get there?”

“Well Dum, you will build a boat for me...well, for us all perhaps. We should all see what is there. We have the ability, we have the courage and we have the love to explore our world.”

Yum looked doubtful, “What if it is terrible or dangerous there?”

Song put her hand on Yum’s face “Then we will come back” she smiled. “But remember we have much to trade.”

So this was the day that man instead of wandering by foot on land decided to explore the world by sea.

Note that Song's reference to their having much to trade was of course their knowledge. This is the last Dum and Yum story for the moment. 

342 words

Image found at www.pixabay.com

 

Dawn again

Dawn again as night dissolves from my mind

Gone the moths and fireflies from the window

As the sun grins at me from the horizon

Alright I am a bit sluggish today

As I shower and dress then light the fire

Some snow has been forecast for later

The fire smokes its flames a bit reluctant

Eventually it starts glowing with pride

As I hear a murmur from the bedroom

Who else but my heart's delight, my dear wife

Now expecting her wake up cup of tea

So I check what chores I must do today

While the water is boiling and dog stares

So let him out to sniff around outside

Take the tea to my wife still tucked in bed

Thinking of checking lawn mower's blades

She grins and says "Are you coming back in?"

Now just what blind fool would fail to do that?

Image found at www.pixabay.com

Dum cuts it

                                 

Dum and Yum were now settled in village life, hunting, fishing and growing vegetables and harvesting fruit in season. Their hut housed all they needed placed on the floor or hung from the walls. They sat on the floor to eat, lay on it to sleep and the children played on it too. After a particularly wet period Yum could stand it no longer and slapped Dum on his arm and pointed to the mess. Dum knew what the problem was as the children played chasey round his legs

He nodded at Yum and went outside in the pouring rain with his axe and knife. Yum knew he could solve the problem or if not there would be one less inside the hut. The children wanted to go with him but she shook her head so they ran round in circles again.

Dum walked to the forest where the trees shade kept him dry and he had a think. He gathered and trimmed some branches to take home. Starting back the sky brightened up which would help.

Some village children were playing in the puddles and Yum now greeted him with a gentle caress, raising her eyebrows at his bits and pieces. She was going to say it doesn't matter any more but could see he was prepared to make something. 

He cut and shaped the pieces of wood then fixing them together until he had finished one piece. It was a three legged stool, not big enough for him or even for Yum but one child could sit on it. It was stable on its three legs so he showed it to Yum.

Yum suggested making more to sit on or keep things off the floor. She thought of other things too such as shelves on the walls! Dum looked shocked, far from coming up with an answer for a simple request for a seat for the children on a rainy day he had to make furniture now for the whole hut.

357 words

Who am I?

I wasn't too welcome on being born, for my brother who was two years older than me found that I was getting all the good things he once had so he planned a war of revenge on this wiling bundle currently clinging to him and my mother and gorging myself on gallons of her milk!

I couldn't do much as he did, such as running around the house and garden. I just crawled around the floor, under tables and chairs bumping my head against dog, walls and doors without the ability to open them as I couldn't yet stand to reach the door handle.

However all that changed when my legs finally stood up and I could totter around making a mess of everything that crossed my path. One day my brother was sitting at the table playing with toys or using pencil or crayons to draw things with of which I knew nothing,

I was keen though and tried to sit at the table with him.He helped by getting me to climb on a chair  then let me sit on the table to see what he was doing. He seem quite pleased so just for fun he took all the chairs away and decided to leave me there.

Needless to say I wanted to follow him so I slipped off the table and fell on the floor and started wailing out loud. It was then that mother rushed in and found this screaming child. Her elder son however was oblivious to the event (so he said).

What a great example in life was installed in me all those years ago...trust no-one! Mind you this never happened again but I realized that life is not easy. However I was now alert to the dangers of life.

So when I too married and became a father, I made sure that I would spend as much time as possible to be with my children and ensure that they found life adventurous and fun...but not sitting on the table.

Image found at www.pixabay.com