Still reading Ovid’s Metamorphoses….The final realm is mine to rule while Jove still holds his sway, and justly rule—I am not cruel, no matter what they say. I see the wicked pay their dues: At last by curb and rein they take the path they would not choose of virtue taught by pain. But nothing harms the innocent; they paid their fees above who always in right pathways went. They nothing lose but love, for love is fed on memories that time and flesh beget, but here they drink the flowing springs of Lethe and forget. Though there was one, while yet she lacked the waters of the shades, whose lover came to take her back. Like Phoebus’ self he played, and I who have no mortal heart (the gods are seldom moved) was weeping sorely at his art— but folly it was proved. I gave him back the one he loved but warned him not to look until they reached the world above. He vowed what he forsook. For love is fed on looking back to bear what lies ahead; he could not brook the forward track who’d seen her lying dead. If love could live beyond the grave, beyond its mortal need to feed upon the love it craves, the dead would all be freed. But human hunger’s no such thing, and death destroys love’s flame. Returned, she drank of Lethe’s spring; he went back whence he came. As yet, my wings have never furled— but something stops my breath. Though I may rule the underworld, what do I know of death?
What is going on in that last stanza? My guess: Pluto is moved by the Orpheus story, but the novel thought of true resurrection crosses his mind, which could--but doesn't-- cause him to unfurl his wings and...fly up and away from Hades? So this is the Christian twist at the end of a classical poem that up until that point has Pluto denying that love survives all? Just checking. Awesome poem as always. I rarely have to read your poems twice, they are so lucid in thought and tone, but this one had me reading the last stanzas a couple times.
The idea is that Pluto, being immortal, doesn't really know death. He's so sure that love cannot survive it, but recognizes that if somehow love could survive, then his reign would be over. So yes, it's very much Christian insider baseball.
What is going on in that last stanza? My guess: Pluto is moved by the Orpheus story, but the novel thought of true resurrection crosses his mind, which could--but doesn't-- cause him to unfurl his wings and...fly up and away from Hades? So this is the Christian twist at the end of a classical poem that up until that point has Pluto denying that love survives all? Just checking. Awesome poem as always. I rarely have to read your poems twice, they are so lucid in thought and tone, but this one had me reading the last stanzas a couple times.
The idea is that Pluto, being immortal, doesn't really know death. He's so sure that love cannot survive it, but recognizes that if somehow love could survive, then his reign would be over. So yes, it's very much Christian insider baseball.
Got it! Makes perfect sense.
Did we already have the conversation where I recommended Hadestown? :)
We did, but I haven't gotten to it yet.
I actaully have a copy of Metamorphoses I've been keeping on my reading list, hoping to get to it at least during the summer!
I’ve been rereading a bunch of things I read in college or before, and this was next on my list. Thoroughly enjoyable.