Every month I look forward the Ditty Challenge that Michelle Heidenrich Barnes shares on her blog. In February, to celebrate their new book, Last Laughs: Prehistoric Epitaphs (Charlesbridge, 2017), J. Patrick Lewis and Jane Yolen challenged Michelle’s readers to write an epitaph poem. All month I’ve been at a loss for a topic. Then, yesterday, inspiration arrived in the mail:
“An Epitaph for Medusa”
With slithering, serpentine hair
and a cold, penetrating stare,
you turned men into statues of stone,
so most mortals left you alone.
But while you slumbered in bed,
Perseus chopped of your head.
Now, instead of resting in Elysian’s field,
you’re entombed on Athena’s bronze shield.
© Catherine Flynn, 2018
Please be sure to visit Elizabeth Steinglass for the Poetry Friday Roundup, and then stop by Michelle’s blog to read more epitaphs.
Reading to the Core 
Inspiration is everywhere! Who knew epitaphs would go in so many directions? What a cool topic, Catherine!
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I haven’t done this challenge yet. Such a stretch for me. Love your Medusa epitaph, especially the slithering first line. She’s always freaked me out because I loathe snakes.
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I like the idea that not all epitaph poems need to be short and funny. This is a great use of the form. It’s great to be open to finding inspiration everywhere!
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I like that you found your ‘muse’, that terribly frightening, but defeated Medusa. Well done!
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Nice job! Love seeing different treatments of this form.
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Gah! You snuck your poem into in the roundup when I wasn’t looking! A month-long struggle and then this? You totally slayed it, Catherine!
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Fun–and creepy! Have you read Bobbi Katz’ The Monsterologist? Great Medusa poem (and many others) in there, too!
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Great epitaph for Medusa!
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Nice one. Now that is a weapon I can see teachers wielding. Poetry and a magic shield.
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