We Are One

Xenia (Greek: ξενία, xenía, trans. "guest-friendship") is the ancient Greek concept of hospitality, the generosity and courtesy shown to those who are far from home. (Wikipedia)

Crafty Sisyphus,

You are a liar and a thief,

And have darkened your door

With the blood of guests.

 

Xenia! By divine decree,

And you a violator!

Does your ruthlessness

Have no end?

 

And this black mouth of yours,

Spewing vile arrogance

Far and wide,

Despoiling the land.

 

You puffed-up, murderous braggart!

You deceitful, ruthless fool!

How could you think

The Gods would never find you out?

 

This, your colossal hubris,

Is your burden now,

And Forever.

Reviews

[Firebird]

I can imagine this read in a deep booming voice. The gods are harsh and accusing. Did you honestly deserve it?
Be forgiving.

[Zugzwang]

We all have a dark side and I am trying to come to grips with mine. It's one thing to shine a light on the wrongdoing of others, but if I also do that I need to take a look at myself. And this is what I see. I do try to be kind to myself too, of course!

[Firebird]

We all have sides to us that aren't pleasant. Forgiveness is the most important thing. Kindness is one thing..you also have to learn to love yourself despite shortcomings. We all need to love each part of ourselves before we can love those around us. Sorry for going on..I'm half trying to persuade myself at the same time.

[Zugzwang]

Yar...it's all good. I'm all about shining a light on things at the moment...but forgiveness is important too. I feel I have to do both.

[jacob erin-cilberto]

there are some very evil guests in this country right now...and everywhere at this moment...uninvited, but shown hospitality and yet they reciprocate with violence and bloodshed.

so sad.

j.

[Zugzwang]

Yes, Jacob, such violence! As though that were the best way. It is stupid. Now we are left with the aftereffects which go on for such a long time.

[alifeacoustic]

I shall be back to review this properly, as I am currently amazed at the thought of hospitality being guest friendship, which of course it is, but I am now left wondering why I never thought of it that way before. I reckon we should go back to calling it guest friendship.

[Zugzwang]

Yar. It's pretty cool. The importance of receiving strangers as guests was a really big deal in ancient Greece as they might be gods in mortal form. There's a lot of it in the odyssey. Awesome book.

[alifeacoustic]

Sounds like something we should revive :)

[Zugzwang]

Good idea! Would make travelling a lot easier.

[Zugzwang]

I thought this poem was fantastic, really amazing.
-Thank you very much, indeed!
You're welcome, but you lose the Sisyphus-off
-Doh!

[Gaia Octavia]

I would argue that it's a draw. We are both immeasurably talented geniuses. And humble too. My favorite line is most definitely "and this black mouth of yours." The imagery this conjurs up is not only haunting but well thought out and deftly riveting. Well done, matey.

[Zugzwang]

Dunno. It kinda feels unoriginal and too straighforward to me. But I do like ambiguity and double meanings...it's really about me.
I enjoyed yours as it went somewhere and had a sting in the tail. This one seems to plod. But it's supposed to so I don't know why I'm whining. I don't like to brag but I am very very good at whining.

[Gaia Octavia]

I did get that it was about you. Or at least your view of yourself. I fully enjoyed the fact that both Sisyphus-off poems had very little to do with Sisyphus and were both about their authors instead ☺

[Zugzwang]

Precisement.