MYTH
Long afterward, Oedipus, old and blinded walked the roads. He smelled a familiar smell. It was the Sphinx.
Oedipus said, "I want to ask one question, Why didn't I recognize my mother?"
"You gave the wrong answer," said the Sphinx.
"But that was what made everything possible," said Oedipus.
"No," she said. "When I asked, What walks on four legs in the morning, two at noon, and three in the evening, you answered Man. You didn't say anything about Woman."
"When you say Man," said Oedipus, "you include women too. Everyone knows that."
She said, "That's what you think."
by Muriel Rukeyser, American poet and political activist, 1913 - 1980
MORE ON THIS LATER . . .
Good grief. Of course Muriel has it right. She usually does. You're my lit sister - Who else out there reads MR?
ReplyDeleteBut Oedipus is weak or is Freud weak in his perseptions of 'Woman?' That's what I think.
Love, love, love your writing!