From the book of light (1993), "leda 2" Summary

The subtitle of this piece is "a note on visitations," referring to Zeus visiting and sexually attacking her. This poem connects Mary's visitation by God, who impregnates her with Jesus, to Leda's experience with Zeus as a swan. Although Mary's experience ostensibly goes well, Leda's does not. The poem notes that sometimes these types of visitations go badly, with the three wise men being dangerous, the animals rebelling in their stalls, the old husband jealous and suspicious, and the only "shining" thing is "the fur between her thighs."

From the book of light (1993), "leda 2" Analysis

Can this poem be thought to be blasphemous? Perhaps it can, since Leda's rape is compared to Mary's visitation, where Mary, who is betrothed but not married, is sexually taken by God to produce...