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Sappho Landers Answers Lonely Lesbos Teen

Lesbos.
620, B. C.

Dear Sappho,

I am writing to your advice column as I feel that no one else can understand my pain. I must admit that I'm in the grip of an all-consuming jealousy over the girl of my dreams. She doesn't even know that I exist! Have you ever dealt with feelings like these?

Maxima

Dear Maxima,

Have I ever!

I remember, years ago, going to a banquet attended by Lesbos' most beautiful party-goers.

Just four seats down from me there was a luscious woman to whom I was as powerfully drawn as I ever remember being. But I soon became aware that I was not the only one interested in her. I could hear the " sweet murmur of (her) voice," as she flirted with the hero of the day. This man had recently returned home from conquering duties elsewhere and been declared a hero by all.

I remember the adulation in which this hero was basking. After all, we Greeks know how to treat our hardworking heroes when they come ashore. All the women in the place were hoping to catch the man's eye. The older people were proud of his achievements, and the younger ones wanted to bask in his glory, absorbing some of his greatness by osmosis. And that's when I realized how completely this golden boy would block my chances of getting close to his dinner companion .Everyone there regarded him as a hero, but he was "more than a hero,- in my eyes." He was," a god," who could pick and choose lovers at will, without any fear of competitors. His supreme confidence gave him god-like powers, and we all know that when gods approach lesser mortals they are seldom turned away.

He was " listen(ing) intimately to (her) voice," and I could see that he far outshone me in every way. I could hear her, "enticing laughter," and that sound alone was enough to produce a perceptible physical reaction in my body.

Suddenly, I felt Death itself approach me! My "heart beat fast," and an unnatural heat burned, "under my skin." The sweat was dripping off me. For a moment I allowed myself to imagine meeting the woman unexpectedly, away from this place. But this only made things worse as I realized that even in that fantasy my tongue wouldn't work, making speech impossible.

When I brought my thoughts back to the present, I found my sight and hearing impaired, and noticed that my skin had taken on the appearance of old , dried out hay. Very attractive! To this day I remember the excruciating jealousy I endured. It was pure torture.

So, Maxima, yes. I have experienced extreme jealousy in my time, and I can tell you this. It's a universal human experience, and most people survive it. The physical symptoms do subside eventually, but the emotional ones leave scars for life.

Sappho.
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