Odysseus/Orpheus Poem by Daniel Brick

What should I do
with these random moments
left over from larger events?
moments that were not swallowed
whole by the movement of things
but rather cast carelessly
along their margins,
where they languish,
unless rescued and given
a new raison d'etre.

Metaphors abound that aid us
when we must be in disguise:
it's not the fault of things
that we are tossed about,
just like those lost moments,
because we cannot find a place
of rest, or an avenue of escape,
but must strengthen our resolve
to bear the pain of the moment,
and find a new raison d'etre.

That moment past, our composure
restored, our nerves steadied,
let us sift through available
metaphors and select one or two
to test against this intrusion
of reality into our world of
accidents, disguises and fantasies
- all masquerading as strange
successes - for the moment. Shakespeare
told us, The preparedness is all.

I have chosen either Odysseus
or Orpheus as my central metaphor.
Whichever one I finally choose
will be my face to the world,
and will ever slowly at first,
gradually become rooted in my being,
and that is called IDENTITY...
It means a curtain of new reality
has been lowered, and will not be raised
again, and so choice will become fate.

Some people, mostly strangers, call me
Odysseus. They expect a convincing display
of strength and a persuasive token
of my kingship. I forgot Kings must be
generous, wastefully generous. To one
and all. And those who thrive
on desire ask incessantly, Odysseus,
will you take me on your next voyage?
I have been long prepared for this. Out there
are wealth and success that belong to me!

Others see me as Orpheus, and rejoice
with an equal fervor because I overcame
the despair of the Hades Realm, and returned
to daylight reality full of hopes. They assume
I can teach them how to outsmart the Dark Lords
and survive. And those who thrive
on desire ask incessantly, Orpheus,
will you take me on your next descent?
I am ready for this exploit. Down there
are wealth and success that belong to me!