Helen

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

 

John Doe · Helen