What was he doing, the great god Pan,
Down in the reeds by the river?
Spreading ruin, and scattering ban,
Splashing and paddling with hoofs of a goat,
And breaking the golden lilies afloat
With the dragon-fly on the river.

This passage from "What Was He Doing, The Great God Pan?" vividly captures the dual nature of the Greek god Pan. As he crafts the shepherd's flute, or aulos, from reeds, Pan embodies both creation and destruction. His actions "spreading ruin, and scattering ban" suggest a disruptive force, yet they are part of a process that ultimately results in musical enchantment. The imagery of "splashing and paddling with hoofs of a goat" paints Pan as a creature of earth and nature, hinting at his untamed, animalistic traits. Meanwhile, the "golden lilies afloat" and the presence of the "dragon-fly" emphasize the delicate beauty he impacts. This duality reflects the poet's own situation; although physically constrained, she transforms her limitations into poetic genius. Like Pan, she wields her art to captivate and entrance, demonstrating that the power to create beauty can arise from chaos and imperfection.