Helen
Stop, I the actor before you, am not the object of your desire
For this melancholy diatribe, we need a new visage
Picture Helen of Troy speaking before you
It is her beauty we seek
That launched 1000 greek ships
Might thus turn a few furrowed brows
Into erect and intent listeners
Now to the subject, your desire
I attain, but dare not challenge your avarice
Each of you a Paris with your own Helen
I am merely a Helen, not yours
The purpose of this part, not to drive each other mad
We turn a million ships back to port
Helen the subject of Paris’ desire and Menalaus’ ire
Those 1000 ships should turn again
The god’s pick sides and Troy sacked
For it is Helen’s beauty that turns fate
And destroys the hearts and homes of men
Many petty Menelaus turned Paris in the eyes of another
What is to become of their Helen’s
The object to be acted upon and sought
The suitor the subject and suitee the object
The journey turned earth, gods and heaven against itself
For each, an odyssey happening in tandem
Where one is the object and the subject
A mini world war turned million of ships
Merely tamed by the fact
That for each Menalaus and Paris
There should be one Helen
