The Beautiful Medusa
Context: the story goes as the story goes, but with a twist: Medusa is immortal and does not get killed by Perseus. Instead, she remains in lonely isolation until she sees and experiences the transformation of society’s beauty standards.
All I have ever known is the cruelty of this world.
The rapacious and partial hands of the Gods have stripped me of my mortal beauty:
My beautiful curls now coiled and cold-blooded
My delicate skin now traced with scales
My eyes now forbidden to carry out its very function - for a simple gaze into my sorrowful eyes renders the onlooker into unforgiving stone.
All I have ever known.
I took refuge in the shadows, found comfort in the abyss.
One could find ease in the stillness of the dark,
But the waking sun is my persistent reminder of my horrid fate
And its slumber my undeserving quarantine.
I cannot bask in the beautiful gift of light because I am not beautiful.
I am meant to either hide in the gloomy chasm,
Or face a world that can no longer love.
My fate has been sealed.
For many years I suffocated in my unjust misery
Until the uncharitable light faced its own unexpected transformation;
Its golden hues that once kissed my skin now seemed artificial and bleached,
And while I despised this change as I did mine own
I now know that this was the dawn of my second life.
All thanks to a phone.
Fate uncharacteristically granted me possession of the otherworldly box.
It was opened on an “app” called “Instagram”
And I was overwhelmed - overjoyed - by a wide array of
Body shapes, colors, sizes
Orientations, pronouns, and
Beauty
They were beautiful
Because beauty had changed.
I decided to take the risk
Of leaving The Cave of Allegory
and posted a photo of myself
To see how this modern world loves -
If this modern world could love.
It seems that it can.
Commenters helped me find beauty in what was once considered my vileness:
My snakes now deemed as avant- grade dreadlocks that are fashion-forward and gorgeous
My scales now considered impressive works of art that reflect the wonders of cosplay
My being now regarded as attractive rather than atrocious
I no longer had to worry about cementing spectators because people could see me without seeing me, the phone acting as an indirect means to look and to appreciate.
I found self-love and regained my self-esteem.
I have learned that beauty is subjective and lies in the beholder’s eyes.
My eyes.
I knew that I wasn’t alone in this internal and awakening journey
So I decided to become a beauty-influencer.
I post daily pictures of my new outfits, skincare routine, and life.
I do it not for the “followers”
But for the satisfaction of knowing that people have seen my message,
Have caught a glimpse of a new world -
A world in which even I can exist in the light.
I also took it upon myself to become a motivational speaker.
I visit cities across the globe to talk about my life,
My pain,
My growth.
I try to bring light into the cave that others have imprisoned themselves in
Because in this day and age
Beauty is celebrated
In all of its diversity
In all of its glory.
I want to see firsthand the mortals that were blooming and shining bright,
(Thank the gods that I can now wear sunglasses.)
But I especially enjoy helping those who struggle with being blind
Because I want to teach them that while blackness may seem oblivious, impending, and inevitable
We can live in a world where we are not consumed in darkness.
If I have come to know more than the cruelty of this world,
Anyone can.