“A poem that makes reference to one or more myths, legends, or other well-known stories, that features wordplay (including rhyme), mixes formal and informal language, and contains multiple sections that play with a theme. Try also to incorporate at least one abstract concept – for example, desire or sorrow or pride or whimsy.” (https://www.napowrimo.net/day-twelve-13/)
I
Is it trite to say I identify most with Orpheus?
Such an overworked character! So often overidentified with.
We all relate to his impulsiveness,
the difficulty of trust, our fear at the pith
of our stomach.
For me, though, it’s his lyre, the lair of art,
the liar of storytelling set to music. The ego
of the creative act, a journey into the mystery of our minds,
wresting a treasured largo
amidst the hustling hassle.
II
Nick Cave has the right of it:
Orpheus the Rock God!
Orpheus as the origin story of Beautiful Noise!
Music, art, as rebellion against
the certainty of death!
III
His tragedy: the loss of Eurydice.
Our tragedy: the loss of music.
Is it worth the price of knowing?
John the Librarian 