Hermes

Hermes the Archetype. Communicator, Diplomat, confidence man, con artist. The trickster

     Communicator Deity
   Messenger of the Gods
 Guide into the underworld
   Trickster God of Frauds

 Schmoozer wheeler dealer
   with diplomatic charm
  Sneaky conniving conman
    out to do you harm

   Can talk a line to anyone
   Words are his best game
    Always so convincing
  No matter what his claim

  Relates to others easily
    Can have empathy
 Can fool you in a minute
  with conniving trickery

 No way can you trust him
  With long term fidelity
Charming everyone he meets
     They fall so easily

 He could be the President
 or running a Ponzi scheme
   Only thing for certain
   He's not what he seems

 The agenda behind his smile
    that's so hard to see
You can bet your bottom dollar
 He's slicker than you or me

  Good guy or a charlatan
     He's a tricky type
For all his charm and trickery
   He's hard not to like

Author's Note

The day Hermes was born he got out of his crib and went off in search of adventure. First he came upon a turtle and made a lyre out of it's shell. Then he came upon some cattle that he promptly stole, had them walk backwards into a cave, covered the tracks and cave entrance then went back to his crib and fell asleep. The cattle belonged to Apollo, God of the sun who saw baby Hermes steal them from his position in his chariot as he pulled the sun across the sky. When Apollo was done with this task he came down to earth, fetched baby Hermes and dragged the child in front of Zeus and demanded justice for such an outrage. Hermes played the part of an innocent baby to the hilt and made Apollo into a big bully who was pushing a baby around. Zeus was so amused by Hermes he just let the whole thing go which infuriated Apollo. Then Hermes pulled out his lyre and started playing. Apollo had never heard such beautiful music, was captivated and wanted the lyre so Hermes offered to trade it for the cattle everyone knew he stole. Apollo, wanting the lyre and needing to save face eagerly accepted the deal. So that's how a one day old trickster deity out witted Apollo, the learned God of law, Logic, order and cool detachment.

Reviews

[Will]

I loved this one. Great rhythm behind it, and the fact that you give Hermes his due(which nobody does) makes me grin. Great work here, keep it up!

[KeeD]

I love this, I want to read every single one of these pieces. Messenger so slick with the gift of the gab, human qualities personified by a GOD.

[Baby Ricochet]

thanks bro

[RachelReaper]

HERMES!!!!!!! I always thought Hermes was cool.

[Baby Ricochet]

Hermes is cool.

[Deidre]

This is great! I really liked the author s note as well. I had never thought about the legend from a pro Hermes viewpoint, but you're right. Hermes did outwit Apollo in the end. Ill be siding with Apollo, though. He's amazing.

[Baby Ricochet]

Hermes was a trickster. Like Coyote in the Native American tradition. Sly's not the same as intellect. I'm doing a piece on Apollo too at some point as well as Dionysus, Demeter and Persephone. Thank you for the review Deidre

[Deidre]

Yeah you're right. I'm not the sly type much though, so I go with intellect. I'd love to read what you come up with on Apollo, and I bet Persephone would be a pretty interesting character as well.

[Baby Ricochet]

As an archetype persephone is complicated. Eternal maiden, queen of the underworld, betrayed and abducted with serious daddy issues

[Deidre]

Yes, I can imagine. Currently I'm writing a poem on Hades with few allusions to Persephone and its turning out to be a pretty complicated process. I guess any underworld dweller must be a tough subject, but hopefully rewarding. Good luck with yours!

[Baby Ricochet]

Oh cool. RR it to me when it's done. I read all the RR'S for poems I get.

[Mr Dunne Poetry]

This is quite the series you have going on here BR. I don't know too much on this subject tbh, but I am loving every minute of learning more through these pieces of yours. Great job mate :)

[Baby Ricochet]

Thank you Mr Dunne

[Mr Dunne Poetry]

You're welcome mate :)

[Tate Morgan]

Oh I swear i know this guy he is dating my daughter. But he doesnt fool me .

[Baby Ricochet]

HA! Keep a close eye on him Tate.

[Tate Morgan]

Oh I got his number and I am not fooled one bit by his education and suave devonaire but she is putty in his hands . all he can see is
I'm gonna tell Aunt Mary about Uncle John He claims he has the music, but he has a lot of fun
Oh baby, yes, baby Ooh baby, havin' me some fun tonight, yeah
Well, long tall Sally, she's built for speed She got everything that Uncle John need
Oh baby, yes, baby Ooh baby, havin' me some fun tonight, yeah

[Baby Ricochet]

I know that song

[Tate Morgan]

I thought you might lol

[Lina Grey]

I learned about Apollo in Latin class. Every year. The version of your story I heard was basically the same, except Apollo didn't catch Hermes, he came at the end of the day and found them gone. A bird told him it was Hermes and he saw tracks leading to the cave. When he recovered the cattle, he took Hermes to Zeus. Basically the same story.
I like this poem. have not read many about ancient gods/goddesses or mythology in general. the rhyming was excellent and i like the repitition of the ideas and how the legend backs it up. excellent write Baby.

[Baby Ricochet]

Poets have ADD so i had to make the story short. Thank you for the review Lina

[Lina Grey]

ha very true. you're welcome :)

[Marie]

I knew this legend, for I like mythology and have given it a little study. And I like Hermes very much--though I think of him as Mercury.

[Baby Ricochet]

Basically the same Guy. Thank you for reading Hermes Marie

[KAOlmsted]

I so love this. And the Author's Note. You treated us to an extraordinary write, Baby, and I thank you so much for that. Really well done.

[Baby Ricochet]

Thank you kimmer.

[quinfinn]

Baby Ricochet, you have found a niche into which your writing gifts perfectly fit...this is superb . you have done your research, made it light and humorous and very interesting reading. i look forward to many more of these writes by your talented hand!

[Baby Ricochet]

Thank you Quinfinn

[quinfinn]

welcome