“A Poem and a Mistake”, written by Cheri Magid and performed by Sarah Baskin, is a modern-day story of transformation. It begins with a timid graduate student, Myrrha, who wrestles with the fifty instances of sexual assault in Ovid’s Metamorphoses. When her dismissive professor provokes a magical transformation, he morphs into various characters from the ancient tale, challenging his understanding of gender, sexuality, and desire. We follow our anti-hero as he navigates through the 15 books of Ovid’s Metamorphoses, ultimately rediscovering himself. Simultaneously, Myrrha’s personal experience of sexual assault in the present day is woven into the narrative, underscoring the disturbingly common occurrence of sexual assault today, reflecting its widespread presence 2000 years ago. The performance explores the human duality of aggressor and victim, teacher and student, god and mortal, leaving a profound impression on all audience members, regardless of their familiarity with the original literature.