Leda and the Swan
by Lenora Rain-Lee Good

Never a fan of Greek mythologies and the stylized art that accompanied them,
I love Egyptian myths. Same stories—different names, different art.
I have never liked the story, in anyone’s mythos where rape played a part, especially
Leda’s rape by the god, Zeus. I always thought it stupid, not to mention gross.
You notice she was not asked. Of course not. It was consensual sex by him—
as a woman, neither her opinion nor her permission mattered.
Zeus just changed to Swan. A freaking swan. Now, swans are beautiful,
I grant you that, then he flew down and had his way with the beautiful Leda
he lusted after, in the water, while she swam. How romantic—not.
Why didn’t he choose something a bit more amorous? He could have taken
human form, male body, been too handsome by far for chaste Leda to refuse.
He could have wooed her, swept her off her feet, plied her with honeyed grapes,
heavenly wine. Then they both could have had fun and she would know
she’d been favored, perhaps even loved, by a true Greek God.

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