Teach Me of Odysseus

teach me of Odysseus
in poetic words bled
ten years
churned in the waking wake
of departing the nightmare
what did Odysseus see in the rear-view mirror?
the sacking of Troy was no small thing
was Helen worth it?
how would Hector respond?
Achilles?
perhaps Patroclus or Paris might weigh in?
any insight?
I sigh
The Iliad has been repeated over and over and over again
Men, Nature’s most destructive force,
the innards of the Trojan Horse,
spill out and spoil every pristine thing they touch

but teach me of Odysseus
how does man leave the fatal shore?
what demons must he destroy?
what storms, prevail?
how red the wake?
before the safe harbors of home
he makes

~

Words and Photography ©2019 Tanya Cliff ~ to contact me

Posted in poetry & free verse.

46 thoughts on “Teach Me of Odysseus”

    1. Thank you, Jonathan! There is a play called “An Iliad” that you might want to check out, if you haven’t seen it. It explores this theme in deep and profound ways. Have a wonderful week!

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  5. This is poetry dear Tanya. I left my home many times. Men are foolish. We must test life and what we can do. We learn too late. We already have what we need. Thank you for sharing the amazing poetry.

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  9. I recently saw a stage production of Trojan Women based on a newer translation that more explicitly presents the suffering faced by the women of Troy after Troy was invaded. They were the collateral damage of all the war making.

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      1. It is the height of euphemistic language. The translation of the production I saw was done by Irish author Brendan Kennelly in 1993, and he was influenced by the history of his own country. You have a great week as well, Tanya!

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  10. “Men, Nature’s most destructive force,
    the innards of the Trojan Horse,
    spill out and spoil every pristine thing they touch”

    dynamic…

    Tanya,

    I absolutely love the voice of this poem.

    Liked by 2 people

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  15. Wow, profound again dear Tanya!
    Has spring arrived at your end of our globe too? The weather-man promised upcoming week lots of Sunshine and warmer temperatures. This woman of the Sun is vibrating and can’t wait to spend lots of time in the garden 🙂
    Sending a big hug again! Oh wait…how’s your book writing going? Any exciting news you can share? XxX

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    1. Hi, Patty! Thank you so much!
      Yes, it is finally getting warm and staying warm. I have some spring flowers in bloom already.
      Book writing is still going. Last few months of winter got crazy, but I am still progressing. I will keep you posted. Many hugs your way! 😊

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  16. Gorgeous ,dear Tanya!!most beautiful try to teach of Odysseus in background historical events.Absolutely truth of human life.i am most impressed from this poem.this poem is a masterpiece in poetry world,my dear friend!!🌺🌻🌷🌹🍁

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  19. Pingback: Promote Yourself Monday at the Go Dog Go Cafe, February 3, 2020 – Better Compiled Late than Never! | Fullbeard Lit

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