Today, following themes of grit and gumption, necessary strings on every woman’s wiley bow, I found myself remembering Penelope, the wife of Odysseus. While not all modern women think that waiting for her husband for 20 years is a good lesson in independence, particularly when he was having a wild old time at the hands of the mischievous gods and goddesses, it remains a love story of the ages. Also, I really wanted to use the word ‘ravelling’.
Ravelling, Unravelling
When news of fair Penelope had spread across the seas
Suitors came to claim the valued prize
Odysseus was long gone, this land rich and fertile
And she a worthy widow in their eyes
Hospitality of Ithaca was widely renowned
Eat our meat and open wide our cellars
Rest your weary bodies and we will entertain you
Bring musicians and our famous story tellers
Ravelling unravelling, Penelope’s unravelling
Spinning quietly spinning for the weaving must be done
Odysseus is missing, he’s lost, feared dead or dying
His ailing parents gone, their hope undone
Penelope is dreaming, she’s quietly scheming
A way to keep the kingdom for her son
Trusting her wiley wit and charm she knew at last her plan
Suitors, I’m in awe of your attentions
A shroud for old Laertes must firstly be woven
And when it’s done I’ll share my true intentions
Ravelling unravelling, Penelope’s unravelling
Spinning quietly spinning for the weaving must be done
Working at her loom they’d see her weaving every day
And as the light was fading she would claim
Honoured guests, drink up and feast, the night is ever young
Perhaps tomorrow I will have for you a name
Each day she spun and wove with assiduous precision
A shroud so fine and lustrous in the sun
By the moon she saw her handiwork and quietly smiled
Then bit the thread and pulled it all undone
Ravelling unravelling, Penelope’s unravelling
Spinning quietly spinning for the weaving must be done
Ravelling unravelling, Penelope’s unravelling
Smiling quietly smiling for her work is never done