Our Helen,
Your face launched a thousand ships,
And burnt the topless towers of Ilium.
Your name has yet to die,
And story yet to cease.
But was it worth it?
When you saw the mighty Hector fall,
And heard his blood cry out from the dust –
When you surveyed the burning Troy,
And saw the belly of the beast
Break open with Greek intestines,
Was it worth it?
Did your beauty save your soul?
Did it bring you joy?
Surely you were perennially adored,
But were you ever loved?
Would you do it again?
You must have known.
Can one hold a flame to their bosom
And not be burnt?
Perhaps your chest was worth the price to
Escape the fire that burnt
your Aphroditen form.
Would you suffer at home
Or suffer afar?
Tell us Helen.
What can you say?
Can you guide our pursuit of beauty and life?
Can the ashes of Troy leave an enduring light?
Was it worth it?
Author Bio:
Carter Davis Johnson is an English major and cadet at the Virginia Military Institute. He grew up in Roanoke, Virginia where he developed a great passion for literature and began writing. Mr. Johnson has been published several times in The Society of Classical Poets, and writes both poetry and prose.
Your face launched a thousand ships,
And burnt the topless towers of Ilium.
Your name has yet to die,
And story yet to cease.
But was it worth it?
When you saw the mighty Hector fall,
And heard his blood cry out from the dust –
When you surveyed the burning Troy,
And saw the belly of the beast
Break open with Greek intestines,
Was it worth it?
Did your beauty save your soul?
Did it bring you joy?
Surely you were perennially adored,
But were you ever loved?
Would you do it again?
You must have known.
Can one hold a flame to their bosom
And not be burnt?
Perhaps your chest was worth the price to
Escape the fire that burnt
your Aphroditen form.
Would you suffer at home
Or suffer afar?
Tell us Helen.
What can you say?
Can you guide our pursuit of beauty and life?
Can the ashes of Troy leave an enduring light?
Was it worth it?
Author Bio:
Carter Davis Johnson is an English major and cadet at the Virginia Military Institute. He grew up in Roanoke, Virginia where he developed a great passion for literature and began writing. Mr. Johnson has been published several times in The Society of Classical Poets, and writes both poetry and prose.
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