Myths and Legends

History's pages are littered with legends
They come from land and sea
Their feats achieved from the much maligned
Or fearless gallantry.

Sailors huddled together
Taking comfort from the fire
Reading Greek classics
And absorbing mythological tales -
Of Jason and The Argonauts
Plying different dimensions
Homeric proportions.
Camping beneath canvas -
The sails of their sailing ship
In a quiet cove of water
Beyond the reach of the gale.

A warrior chief watches from afar
As these pale spirits enter his realm.
He meant to save his people
By meeting with their charge
Only to meet a tragic fate
Far away from his sacred land.

Few of their names are here
Though a little seeking will reveal
Their mark has left its trace.
A solitary rock to Kunnanara Kuna -
A memorial in place.

Hesitantly a township grew
Around that gentle bay
Emerging into a brave new world
With nomenclature intact.
There is Medea Cove
Along with Homer and Jason Streets
Argonaut can be found-
The sailors' stories and histories
Etched upon the landscape.

Myths and legends can blur and blind
One a tale of imagination
Explaining away the cause of our being
In a dreamtime beyond all knowing.
The other a thing to be read
Known and studied -
A collection of lives traditionally told
To further our own morality.

Me, I prefer another definition
Recounted by a modern Scottish bard
Legend is rumour plus time
That will do me fine.


Kym Matthews
6th February 2010