Staring at Medusa

Ancient Greek myths tell us of a Gorgon named Medusa.

Snakes extended from her head in place of hair.

Her face is described as being so hideous that all who caught a glimpse of her instantly turned to stone.

Medusa was eventually killed by Perseus, but not before many poor souls had succumbed to her petrifying gaze.

Death, however, did not mark the end of Medusa’s terror: After his victory, Perseus carried her decapitated head in a bag and displayed it to others, including the titan Atlas, transforming them all into solid stone.

Even today, Medusa seems to live on – not as a Gorgon with snake hair but as a ghost from the past, still in command of her petrifying nature…

And we willingly stare at her, unaware of the cruel fate awaiting us.

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Perseus lowers his gaze as he holds Medusa's head high.

I have seen Medusa's spell render far too many people motionless.

They stand in stores and offices, on sidewalks and in parks.

Petrified, they sit on buses and trains, on chairs in restaurants and couches at home.

Friends turn to stone beside one another as conversation stalls.

Halls grow silent as breath freezes and activity subsides.

And every person, now transformed into an immovable stone statue, takes on the same posture:

Head bowed, chin tucked, shoulders rounded, staring.

And in every hand, the head of Medusa, offering a never-ending cycle of whatever can capture its victim’s attention.

Perseus once carried the head of Medusa concealed in a leather bag.

He dared not look at it himself.

Today, we carry the head of Medusa in our pockets.

…And rarely, if ever, do our eyes and minds escape its powers.

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