According to Herodotus, Medusa was one of three gorgons, along with her sisters, Euryale and Stheno. The three women had snakes instead of hair and could turn anyone who looked at them to stone.
Your prompt is MEDUSA.
Your grotesque gaze rests
Upon the uninvited
Memorials, now
Ovid tells a different story, he says that Medusa was a priestess in Minerva’s temple when she was raped by Neptune. Either as punishment for breaking her vow of chastity, or to give Medusa the ultimate ability for revenge, Minerva turned her into a gorgon.
Regard this gleaming shield.
Gorgon sister, look close
And see the eyes of stone.
The curse of beauty:
Your beholder’s eyes are fixed
On you forever