Patience

Two decades later, and her face still glows.
The wrinkles that are ‘round her eyes, he knows,
betray the worries of a reigning queen,
but do not temper his desire.  Unseen
are scars from battles that she’s had to lose.
Dressed in her silky robes, this mortal muse
excites his every sense and more.  He wants
to meld with her but his own spirit haunts
these ancient halls.  He must first exorcise
this ghost and so he waits.   He’ll use the guise
of a disheveled beggar and exact
his brand of vengeance. Honor makes him act;
or is it jealousy, to take their life,
these puppies that dare dream to want his wife.
He’s waited twenty years, he’s in no rush.
He’ll satisfy his blood lust.  Then he’ll make her blush.

Author notes: wc 131 16 lines capturing Odysseus's thoughts as he sees Penelope after twenty years