On Scherian Shores
~~~
Alcinous gave the Greek king stage
And reveled in the tales he told
His stories had become a wage
As he was shipwrecked with no gold
~~~
And when Alcinous asked of love
Odysseus gave pause to think
He smiled at lamp lit above
Tilting head to finish his drink
~~~
I have known hundreds of women
But I do not say this as boast
Rarified the magic given
To ones I remember the most
~~~
For of all the beauties I have known
Each so rare and so exquisite
The greatest on two hands be shown
Life left changed by angel’s visit
~~~
Their love did shine above the rest
In a life that passed by so fast
No measure given to which best
Just one was first and one was last
~~~
The first love, her name was Storge
I knew her when I was still young
But the love we still share today
Did our family bond become
~~~
Another love since younger years
Dear Philia, the greatest friend
The shoulder that felt all the tears
An ungendered love that could mend
~~~
Yet transient love comes and goes
Days spent sharing a laugh or smile
But the heart was still an echo
And this bond was a bit fragile
~~~
Then, as young men are want to do
Becoming man now more than myth
It was Eros’ love I knew
And her sultry feminine gifts
~~~
She had me chained for many years
Abandoned in her sweet desires
Until Xenia showed a love clear
Cold nights warmed by sharing fire
~~~
She I had loved in many eyes
Each kind word and helpful gesture
Graciousness her hiding’s demise
Her love gave the world new texture
~~~
My love for Philautia just grew
The seed in birth, esteem bestowed
Struggled through each trial anew
The only love that I was owed
~~~
Mirrored her reflecting the self
And finding how to love him too
This type of love the greatest wealth
But the heart demands more from you
~~~
So, with a golden wedding ring
Loved Pragma met at the altar
Lasting bond hoped duty would bring
The easiest love to falter
~~~
Amongst the years and all the trysts
A love that let the heart act fool
The uncomplicated Ludus
Flirtatious, enticing, playful
~~~
For those the well-remembered fun
And each was a slice of heaven
But there is still the greatest one
Making final count just seven
~~~
Of all the loves from tame to wild
The only one that really stays
Is the love you have for your child
An endless love named, Agape
~~~
Beautiful ending –
Thanks Beth!
Epic! Quite an effort!
Thank you my brother! Best wishes!
You’re welcome my brother!
Endless love for a child is a beautiful way to wrap this one up.
Thanks Pete!
Wow, that was a beautiful piece, quite a bit involved and so perfectly worded, each and every stanza. I loved the ending too. Unconditional love, the greatest love of all. So true and difficult for humans to do as well. Just lovely Brad. Jonikens
like others have pointed out, a great way to end the poem.
It also seems like someone needs to visit Greece… 🙂
Thanks Jim! I especially love the Greek isles.
as I recall, you wrote a similar poem a while ago…
It may be the same poem, as this is a rerun from a much earlier post…
ok, I thought it seemed familiar…
Of all the loves from tame to wild
The only one that really stays
Is the love you have for your child
An endless love named, Agape
SPECTACULAR!
Thanks Isha! You are too kind!
You’re very welcome 🌸