Iscariot -5/03/05

Achilles, cast your iron circlet down
And leave the shades of ghostly subjects there.
Oh Bold One, come into the sun and air!
You’ll find your steps are lighter, lacking crown.

Oh Tantalus, instead of bending, stand!
Just let the running water wash you clean.
Abandon food that’s never held, just seen,
And take the bread that satisfies in hand.

My Sisyphus, oh come and be made stout
In ways your fruitless toil can never do!
While you were working there, your boulder grew,
Just leave it in the foothills, climb the Mount!

Sweet Dido, twice been wounded in His name,
Permit your heart to bloom with fresh desire.
Do not become so scorched by hatred’s fire,
Just smile and, for the Gard’ner, burst aflame!

Odysseus, son of Cunning Hermes, see!
Oh come now, Prince of Liars, seek the truth!
Come; recognize the Lord you knew in youth,
And wag with joy as spirit scampers free.

Now come, Deceiver, lay your tricks aside,
Protection’s found right here, beneath His wing.
Oh bloodiest man alive, cast off your pride,
And learn submission to the Only King!
Sweet girl, do not despair of being a bride,
The one who courts brings more than just a ring.

Now, Father Vile, come kiss the child you killed,
And He will seat you at His banquet feast.
Oh, Cruelest King, repent the crimes you willed,
Then, from your guilt, your soul will be released.
And I, the Judas, I will join your guild
In faithful service to th’ Eternal Priest.

Betrayers, killers, liars: children sought,
Partake we now of Lethe’s cleansing draught.
Just cup our hands and drown the self we fought,
And let ourselves, by mercy, new be wrought!