Ophelia and Athena

I'll come for you, he said. The hours and minutes ticked by and she was alone. Her heart beat, the sun rose and set, and time passed. The shock of separation slipped away like a gossamer veil.

I'll come for you, he said. Flashback. The little girl smiled and hoped that her father's words would come true. The hours and minutes ticked by and she was alone.

Wait for me, he said. And she waited. She donned the robes of Ophelia, feeling the madness invade when torn apart by the desire and fickleness of men. Madness born of losing her sense of self while trying to seek the love of both father and lover.

Love me, he said. And in that love she saw a thousand moments of ecstasy and heartbreak. How can she love someone so deeply that did not love her? The robes of Ophelia felt familiar and comfortable. How can she love someone that loved her and lain with another? She gathered daisies, rosemary, and violets to make a garland wreath of remembrance.

To be or not to be, she wondered. To love or not to love, to hope or not to hope. She watched as her gossamer veil slipped away with its adornments of love and devotion. She saw her companion, Solitude, standing straight and proud before her, beckoning her towards the future. A future filled with shining accomplishments and accolades, but alone.

I'll come for you, he yelled. Wait for me, he pleaded. Love me, he begged. No, she answered.

She placed the garland wreath on her lover's head and slowly shed the robes of Ophelia. She turned and embraced Solitude who transformed into the armor of

Athena, strong and unyielding.

She walked away from him towards her future
and felt the coldness of the armor seep into her bones.

The hours and minutes ticked by and she was alone.