Aphrodite

Born from the sea's embrace near Kamini's shore,
Aphrodite rose, divine, with beauty to adore.
Foam-born goddess, from waves' gentle kiss,
Her presence, a promise of love's pure bliss.

In ancient tides, she took her first breath,
Under skies that sang of life's ceaseless depth.
From the depths, she emerged, radiant and bright,
Bringing to the world both day and night.

Through ancient Greece, her legend did grow,
In tales of passion, where love’s fire glows.
With each new dawn, her beauty shone clear,
In hearts and minds, she instilled both joy and fear.

Mount Olympus called, where gods held their court,
But the mortal world, too, she would often escort.
With a chariot of doves, she roamed far and wide,
Spreading love’s enchantment, a celestial guide.

Adonis and Ares each held her graced,
In stories of love, time could not be erased.
Her many lovers, hidden in secret she kept,
In their tender embraces, many tears were wept.

Her summer home lay by Limnioniza’s side,
Where crystal waters and pebbles reside.
There, in the cape of Rigas, she found a retreat,
Far from prying eyes, where her heart could beat.

Yet tales of infidelity marked her tale,
With Paris and the apple, she set sail.
To Troy, she went, where her influence grew,
In the war that ensued, her power was true.

For Helen’s love, the ships set to sea,
Aphrodite’s role in the conflict is key.
She guided the hearts of men to fight,
For love and honour, through day and night.

She wandered through gardens, where roses grew wild,
Each petal became a memory, tender and mild.
The Muses sang songs of her endless charms,
Of lovers entwined in her gentle arms.

Years turned to centuries, and myths to lore,
Yet her spirit lived on forevermore.
In sculptures and paintings, her image held true,
A timeless reminder of what beauty can do.

And now, above Castello, she sat in the breeze,
The sun is setting softly, the world at ease.
A moment of reflection, in the evening's soft glow,
Her thoughts drifted back to the waves long ago.

With that, she rises, grace in each stride,
Her hair danced lightly like the incoming tide.
One last look at the view, a smile serene,
Then she turns towards Limnioniza, unseen.

From the sea to the hills, her journey complete,
A goddess of beauty, where love and time meet.
In one fleeting instant, she was there, then gone,
Leaving behind the echoes of a timeless song.
Hydra, July 2014

It was in the afternoon, at five, when the siesta ended. I was walking from Vlychos, where I had lunch at Marina. The sun reflected in a formation of thin cirrus clouds, creating a magical veil over the Peloponnese. The coastal road winding along the cliff is breathtakingly beautiful, each glance a delight. Just where the road takes a sharp turn, and Castello comes into view, I saw her. A stark naked woman in half profile, her head turned toward Castello's small beach and the view of Kamini's piers and Spilia a kilometre away. The view with Castello and the small beach called Baby Beach in the foreground, Kamini's houses climbing the cliff, and the silhouette of five of Hydra's windmill ruins in the background is one of the island's most beautiful.

Naturally, it wasn't the view that caught my eye, but the classically beautiful woman. Greeks are prudish, and public nudity is strictly forbidden.

"Excuse me, perhaps the lady needs this," I said, pulling a beach towel from my backpack.

"Not for my sake," she replied, looking at me. Then, I recognised the divine profile known from ancient statues and countless later depictions. It was Aphrodite, the ancient Greek goddess associated with love, lust, pleasure, passion, procreation, and, not least, beauty. It was certainly the view that attracted her. I knew she had a summer residence in a cave above Limnioniza on the other side of the island. According to legend, it was off Kamini that she was born from the sea three thousand years ago. Other Time-travelers had told me that.

"You are Aphrodite," I asked tentatively.

"The very same," she replied in a soft yet somewhat antiquated, entirely understandable dialect since her voice resonated inside my head. That's how Time-Travellers communicate—without verbal communication, using a universal language understandable to all, regardless of the era. I introduced myself but understood she was reading my thoughts like an open book and already knew most about me.

"I understand you reside on the other side but were born here in the neighbourhood," I began cautiously now that I had the chance to speak with someone so mythical.

"You are well-informed and know about us Time-travellers, so I don't need to explain that. And you know my background too. Is there anything else you want to know that you don't already?" I thought hard, and she could follow my thoughts; it was evident in her green eyes.

"The view on the other side, where you live in Limnioniza, is just as beautiful as this one, so what draws you here more than childhood memories?" I asked, aware she already had the answer ready.

"The view where I live at Rigas Cape and the Myrtoan Sea is more pristine, like me. Limnioniza Beach is considered one of the most beautiful beaches. It is covered in pebbles and blessed with crystal-clear water, ideal for a dip far from prying eyes." That last comment made me lower my gaze.

"I didn't know you were sitting here," I said apologetically.

"That's not what I meant, but more generally. As you thought, it is my early years, and I want to relive, and I do that best from this hill, for it is true that early visual impressions, smells, and sounds are etched in stone within us. Right?" I nodded.

"When we talk about beautiful views, were they as significant when you were a child? Today's real estate agents talk about location, location, and location as the most important factor when choosing a home. Was it the same in the past?"

"It naturally depends on whom you ask. We deities, especially those who lived on Mount Olympus, saw everything, took in everything without worry, and could both enjoy and be horrified depending on where we turned our gaze. For mortals, it was a different reality. Indeed, they enjoyed beauty like us but still had to think differently."

Aphrodite paused, allowing the distant sounds of children playing on Castello's beach to fill the air. The occasional bray of a donkey and the chirping of birds celebrating the coming coolness after the sun slipped behind the Peloponnesian mountains added a peaceful background.

"What about your daily life? Did it involve appreciating the views?" I asked, encouraged by her openness.

"Of course, it did. Views were not just for pleasure but also for practical reasons. Elevated places offered strategic advantages, such as seeing approaching ships or armies. Beauty and utility often intertwined."

"Could the best view mean the greatest danger? Today’s attractive beach properties on Hydra were excluded because of pirates in the past," I said.

"Precisely. What is now desirable was once perilous. Pirates made coastal living dangerous, but those same views could warn of approaching threats. It’s a balance between beauty and survival," Aphrodite agreed, her eyes reflecting the deep green of the sea below.

"Do you think ancient people enjoyed beautiful views as we do today?"

"Yes and no. They appreciated beauty, as seen in their art and literature, but practical considerations and survival needs often tempered their enjoyment. It wasn’t just about aesthetics but also about the function and safety a location provided."

"When do beautiful views start appearing in art and literature throughout history?" I inquired.

"This trend has existed since ancient times, as seen in Egyptian, Greek, and Chinese art, but it became more pronounced during the Renaissance when humanism and appreciation for nature flourished. This trend continued into the Romantic era when landscapes became prominent subjects in art and poetry."

"Which is the oldest known beautiful view depicted in art?" I wondered aloud.

"There are ancient Egyptian frescoes and Chinese landscape paintings from millennia ago. However, the Minoan frescoes from Santorini, depicting vibrant natural scenes, are among the earliest examples of detailed landscapes intended to capture beauty."

Aphrodite smiled, "But art is just one aspect. How people lived, and their surroundings deeply influenced their perception of beauty."

"How about the indigenous Australians? Did their art reflect beautiful views?"

"Absolutely. Indigenous Australian art often depicts the land and its features, deeply rooted in their culture and spirituality. Their ‘Dreamtime’ stories convey a profound connection to the landscape, celebrating its beauty and significance."

We sat in comfortable silence, the world around us buzzing with life. It was clear that while views and beauty have always been appreciated, the context in which they are enjoyed has evolved.

"Does it surprise you that views, safety, and practicality have always been intertwined?" Aphrodite asked.

I shook my head. "Not at all. It makes perfect sense. But it's fascinating to hear it from your perspective."

"Humans have always been drawn to beauty, but survival often dictated their choices. Today, with fewer immediate threats, people can afford to prioritise beauty more. Yet, the instinct to find safe and strategic locations is still more subtle."

The distant sounds of children playing on Castello's beach grew louder for a moment as a group of them ran closer to the water, their laughter mixing with the gentle waves. The donkey's braying echoed from the hills, and the birds' chirping seemed to increase in response to the cooling air as the sun continued its descent.

"Did you often return here?" I asked Aphrodite.

"Yes, whenever I could. The connection to a place of origin is powerful. It’s not just about the view but the memories and emotions tied to it. This spot, in particular, holds a special place in my heart."

"It's interesting to think about how much our surroundings shape our memories and identities," I mused.

Aphrodite nodded. "Indeed. The landscape, the scents, the sounds –all weave together to create a tapestry of experiences that stay with us forever."

"And do you think that's why people still seek out beautiful places today? To create those lasting memories?"

"Absolutely. Beauty has a way of imprinting itself on our souls. It's why people travel, move to places with stunning views, and preserve natural landscapes. It’s a connection that transcends time and place."

As we sat there, the tranquillity of the moment enveloped us. The beauty of the surroundings, the distant sounds of life, and the deep conversation with a goddess created a sense of timelessness.

Aphrodite's serene and wise presence brought a new understanding of the world and its beauty. It wasn’t just about what we see but how it makes us feel and remember.

"Thank you for sharing this with me," I said, genuinely grateful.

"The pleasure is mine," Aphrodite replied with a warm smile. "May you always find beauty in the world around you and let it guide you in your journey."

With that, she gracefully stood up, the light breeze gently moving her hair. She looked out over the view one last time before slowly making her way up the hill towards Limnioniza, leaving me with a deeper appreciation for the timeless connection between beauty, memory, and identity. In one second, she was there; the next, she was gone.