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Helen of Troy Learns to Sail

from The Muse and the Devil by Helena Ruth

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I said, "I have been traded between the rough and aged hands of strangers, at the toss of a coin. I have rode out strange seas, in the dark hulls of strange ships, among the gold, the skins, the other spoils of conquest. My hands have never held a stay; see how smooth my palms? I must never have felt fear in my life; see how my face remains unlined? What foul things I must never have said, never pleaded, through this mouth like a rose.

My skin refuses to weather, but the salt of the sea has left my heart tough and tanned. May a stormy horizon ever prevent your arrival, sailor. May the sun blind you that you never see my face. May you never know me. May I sew shut the next mouth that says the word 'beauty.'"

lyrics

oh, helen--
they've told me about you
made it out like i'd like to be like you.
said "she had the face
that launched a thousand ships"
i do not seek this
nor do i wish it
i doubt you did,
either.

oh, helen
they've told me about you.
they write what they have grown too shy to speak
write, "she was a young thing..."
write, "golden and shining..."
wrote like a trophy,
oh, helen...
you never sailed a single ship.

there is no power
in this supposed control (she had the face)
and yet, you're blamed
for all the pain that they sowed (a thousand ships)
a single phrase,
that weight you never could throw.
yet, every warrior acts like he's owed
(doesn't he,)
helen (?)
they've told me about you.
oh, helen!
i do not think they _think._
your heart is not forgot...
your hand, no longer sought.
oh, helen,
i'm sure you'd sail a steady ship, oh helen

i'm sure you'd sail... a steady ship.

...

☀︎

credits

from The Muse and the Devil, released December 14, 2017

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Helena Ruth image

Helena Ruth Olympia, Washington

Hey there! I’m Helena, and I love webcomics, gaming, animation, and most of all, music! While I hail from Dallas TX, I’m in Olympia WA right now while I attend college. I write original and fan music, which you can find here, on my SoundCloud, and on my YouTube. ... more

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