Poseidon’s Revenge

(regarding the US 2016 general election) 

in loyalty to their kind
they cannot tolerate our minds,
In loyalty to our kind
we cannot tolerate their obstruction -Paul Kantner, Jefferson Airplane

 

when the ultimate opened door slammed shut

survivors could stagger in,

one by one,

ridding snow from their caps

discarding frozen gloves

socks and boots drenched,

and rubbing, blowing into purple deadened fingers

palms cupped

but not in prayer

meanwhile inside some disembodied wind,

an offended angel named Poseidon

was fervidly

rearranging her furniture

outside, even more sailors

sprinted in from the sea

desperately shedding

their cynical bathing suits

waves nipping at frostbitten toes

seabirds too billowed ice clouds

bitter blustered breath

howling for soothing songs,

their flocks locked out of paradise

like solitary phantoms way beyond the grave,

laden with broken promises of gracious Octobers

melted away long away, forgotten

and these ocean mates, birds and men,

bid Poseidon

with trident held aloft

the stricken sailors entreated:

“where went the promised sun?

the treasures offered by Medusas,

the laughter and the olive trees

proffered by the child horse?

where went suggestions of springtime

vowed by the lovers of verse

whose shadows defy all seasons?”

thus poet’s response…

 “you represent tyranny

typify the violence the Gods abhor

with your false amendments and guns,

violence untamed…

free women and men unfulfilled…

you serve the greedy usurers

steadfastly strangling their prey

extracting all the blood

all the laughter

that defines humanity…

thus your voyage cannot be condoned

by myself

nor any other gods-

this apocalypse you weave

will insure your own demise”

and all at once Poseidon waved his exalted sword

parting the air

dividing earth and sea,

leaving many unprotected, drowned,

and some remained firm, intact,

pardoned with the understanding

that tolerance allows for another chance

yet with a narrowed path

and choice rescinded,

for when mortals disregard their reverence,

their humility,

they masquerade as demigods

and then more rains and ice came

billowing down from the heavens,

showering down on what remained of humanity

who were granted voice to pass on this tale,

to endow this saga

to the blameless ones, the children

and then Poseidon beckoned the winds

to ruthlessly sweep away the debris

left behind by those disposed,

ripping away the masks

of the survivors

until all souls were bared,

skeletons without wings

and again his specter waved wide

now inviting the snows

to freeze and cleanse the population:

those left to whisper beyond this holocaust,

those who could evolve from lesser generations,

and revenants seeking a distinct shelter

having nothing left to lose,

devoid of disguise,

naked, transparent in the light

and who will grant us survivors a final choice:

to celebrate life

or the alternative,

with the knowledge that

Poseidon resolutely and willfully stands guard

November, 2016

Port St. Lucie, FL