I’m quite happy to say that the good folks over at Aphelion Webzine today featured my poem, “Iphigenia’s Womb,” in their wonderful free online magazine for fantasy and science fiction fans. The poem can be found here:

http://www.aphelion-webzine.com/poetry/2015/06/IphigeniasWomb.html

“Iphigenia’s Womb” was first published over in Dead Snakes in January 2014.  I am grateful to Poetry and Filk Editor Iain Muir for allowing me to share it today in Aphelion, as it might now be enjoyed greater numbers of fans of Greek mythology.

The piece is an allegory to the death by burning of Iphigenia, daughter of Agamemnon.  He sacrificed her to the Gods to appease them after an offense, as the deities had sent strong winds to beach the Greek warships ready to set sail against Troy.  (Of course, the poem is also about other things.)

If the imagery of the burning girl bothers you, then consider this — there are various versions of the story.  In one, a giant bird appears from the heavens to dive down and rescue young Iphigenia clean away.  It’s the kind of deus ex machina we occasionally see from winged saviors in fantasy; think of both the eagles in J.R.R. Tolkien’s “The Lord of the Rings,” as well as the wayward seagull in Richard Adams’ “Watership Down.”  (“WHERE’S YOUR WHITE BIRD, *NOW*, BIGWIG?!?!”)

Thanks again to Mr. Muir and the Aphelion community!  🙂