You were duped by the small humans you trapped
Tricked into drinking yourself into a stupor
Then blinded by a stake driven into your singular eye.
When your brothers heard your cries and asked what ailed you,
You could only respond that it was Nobody
As that was the name the clever human gave you.
Your brothers laughed and abandoned you to your fate
While your prey escaped unimpeded.
But perhaps the clever one wasn’t so.
Out of bravery, or foolishness, or a bit of both,
He revealed to you his true name: King Odysseus of Ithaca.
You cursed him soundly, calling upon your father to avenge you
As the human king sailed away.
You did not expect Poseidon to respond.
Gods tend to favor their human children
And your father’s moods are as fickle as the seas over which he reigns.
You cursed Odysseus in a fit of pain and rage,
Not quite expecting anytime to come of it.
Ten years have passed since that day.
Your eyesight hasn’t returned and you don’t think it will.
Your brothers have apologized for not believing you,
And you have forgiven them.
They tend to your flocks for you,
Guide you when you wander about your island home,
Describe the sunrise when you find yourself missing it.
Sometimes you wonder what became of that Odysseus.
Did he meet his end at the bottom of the ocean?
Did he somehow, against all odds, make it back to his Ithaca?
You don’t know.
You aren’t sure if it should matter to you.
It is true that he tricked you,
Blinded you,
Stole the finest of your flock,
But he spared your life.
At least you can feel the sun on your face,
Eat roasted lamb,
Converse with your brothers,
And fall asleep to the sound of waves crashing against your island home.
Surely that must count for something.
Bhagwati Narwate is currently a college student at Kennesaw State University, majoring in English. They love to read and write in the genres of fantasy and romance. Occasionally, they will try their hand at poetry. Right now they are endeavoring to complete a novel. This is their first time getting published.
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