How to begin?
They say your husband was a kind and humorous family-man.
Devoted to his unspectacular pretty island, lover of dogs and olive-trees.
He even played the madman, when they came to recruit him for Agamemnon’s dirty mission. Obviously, he was not a hell of an actor. A tragedy for all of us…
Is the reconquest of a pleasure-seeking young wife a credible explanation for endless loss and pain on both sides, what do you think, dear Penelope?
So sorry to disturb you,
But I didn’t have the chance
To fall in love, to marry,
See sons or daughters grow
To handle suitors, raise a boy
To wait for years, to lose your joy
Be jealous, witty, weave, survive?
So, would you recommend it: life?
Love from the other side,
Yours, Polyxena
I’m sure you wouldn’t have agreed in sacrificing me, before the “heroes” left our coast. And you wouldn’t want my mum to be a slave in your home – another brilliant idea of your husband, if I may say so, and a doubtful one: You don’t know my mother!
How did you deal with his highly original excuses on his way back?
I mean, a man who blindsides childish giants, showdowns with sea monsters and gets entangled in all kinds of affairs with witches, goddesses, nymphs and sirens – all of whom, self-evidently young and beautiful? He even paid us a brief official visit in Hades, did you know?
What on earth would poets and filmmakers of all ages have done without your husband?
But how did you feel about your reunion after 20 years, amidst the corpses of your young suitors, whom your now elderly husband had killed with his legendary crossbow? What a way to teach your son some manners after his return home…
No, no – I don’t want to be cynical, dear Penelope.
So sorry to disturb you,
But I didn’t have the chance
To fall in love, to marry,
See sons or daughters grow
To handle suitors, raise a boy
To wait for years, to lose your joy
Be jealous, witty, weave, survive?
So, would you recommend it: life?
Love from the other side,
Yours, Polyxena
