Penelope

By day, she weaves fabled threads of true love into cloth;
Silky constellations fired by the cosmic powers of female prophecy.
And at night, she unpicks this wondrous universe,
Listening to the ocean signing her trusted companion’s return.

An object of gluttonous male desire,
She needles new life from old tales.
Silenced by myth, she gives herself voice.
Consoling conjugal grief, she un-weaves her art
Revealing truth and faith to the one and only
Man she chose over her cherished father.

Unheard no more, Penelope looks to the stars,
A thousand tiny fires dying in the cold, clear night;
Her fearless husband is coming home.

Arwen Webb is co-founder of Richmondshire Writers, which is now in its fourth year. The group regularly invites guest writers, and delivers in-house workshops and critique evenings. They have produced an anthology showcasing some of their work and last year they took part in the Richmond Walking and Book Festival.