Helena

They lay down their arms to worship the night. Then shun the light of day.

 

Looking at you,

one man might say

Is like seeing Homer

within the light of day

For yours was the face

that launched a thousand ships

Your Honor would lead their way

By your heart they would all be judged

Your likeness shown in the evening light

Love of you beckoned them come what may

They followed your stars and never lost sight

Men laid down their arms to worship the night

Then shunned the light of day

 

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Author's Note

The stories that come from long ago have a kernel of truth to them. That is why they have survived

Reviews

[Manie]

This is really a beautiful poem about Helen, the princess whose beauty started that ancient war. I love the way the rhythm sort of changed (or shall I say the one's heartbeat) as the poem progresses. The poem starts out slowly, one expecting it to be a typical love poem for a lady called "Helena". But then "Homer" is metioned and I start to wonder where this is going. Then we read that famous old quote about the face that "launched a thousand ships" and my heart starts to beat at a different rate as I'm visually taken back to Troy at a time of war.

I could almost hear hear the beat of drums and the cry for war. I see those thousand ships at sea, men armed and ready for war, "come what may". All for the love of a woman. Then it gets quiet - "Men laid down their arms to worship the night". One is sort of relieved at this image and the drumbeat stops. But then, SUDDENLY, the drums beat faster then before, and the battle begins "at light of day". Well, that's what I saw :-)

I loved your ending, because even after the last line is read, the reader is still left with a lot of thought. I'm pretty sure that they could use this as an introduction, read by a narrater, to a movie or play about the "Trojan Wars". It sets a nice mood. "Then shunned the light of day...", and as those words end, the next act is played out... the start of the Trojan War...

There is also a line in the middle "...by your heart they all would be judged...", which makes one think. Was the death of thousands of men worth it? Can love be so strong, can beauty be so enticing, that a king would risk his army for it?

Well, these are only my interpretations and thoughts.

Great poem with some beautiful lines and visual imagery that takes us back to ancient greece (or to greek mythology as some would prefer). As a lover of history and mythology I give it 10/10!

[Stammers]

gorgeous, I love this comparison

[Coyote Poetry]

Poem is very beautiful. Photo made the words come alive. Helen is one of my favorite people in the History of the Myths. Your story and description were outstanding. Thank you.
Coyote

[MagiCrystal]

Bravooooooooooooooooooooooo!.. I am speechless ...

[Pax Analog]

Striking accompanying photograph.

A sense of mystery is conveyed in simple words referencing an ancient story.

The worship of the night seems more a soothing of the soul than an avoidance of the day, like the Tao.

[Kelley Quinn]

At first, I didnt fully understand it all. I had to go back and reread what you were saying. But now I understand perfectly. Such rare beauty. You have a talent with words, most certainly. I wish I had this talent..Props to you, Tate.

[Laura Nikkinen]

Hmm. The name Helen has always had a very special meaning in my life (my husband calls me helen of troy because of my middle name), and this was such a beautiful piece in her honor, or her legend, heart felt in that way. The only suggestion I have here is the font you used, i found it difficult to read at times (but thats just me).

[LadyNaida]

Well they say that many wars were started for the love of a woman.

[ScarletCarson]

This gives me a historical feeling. :)) It's a good piece! :D Although I liked Childhood Friends better. :D Overall, this is good. :)

[Salvatore Buttaci]

Some punctuation suggestions, though I like your poem a lot.

Looking at you,

One man might say

Is like seeing Homer

In the light of day,

For yours was the face

[That] launched a thousand ships.

Your Honor that led their way.

By your heart they all would be judged.

Your likeness shown in the evening light.

Love of you beckoned them come what may.

[They] followed your stars and never lost sight.

Men laid down their arms to worship the night,

Then shunned the light of day.

Tate