The Athenian

Words by Ancy Jose

 

Taller than any man, woman or child

Everyone is a child to her

In her sweeping peplos, and dusty sandals

She’s been walking the Earth

 

For centuries, with a righteous torch in her right hand

Towering over mankind

So they find that light up high

Not the sun, much warmer, much sweeter

 

A warm hand holds onto it

Higher up than man’s cruel ambition

Above fallen dreams,

Lighting the stars to dream on

 

The herculean Athenian bends

Only when a child needs her

Her heart melts like ashes on the torch

To their cry

 

She’s not unlike Prometheus

Bringing light to lowly humans

But she need not be punished

She is a promise, a gift

 

Not Pandora

Evils don’t follow her

But she does brings hope

The Athenian is kind

 

“Prosper on Human Race

With the knowledge I impart,

And the wisdom I wish for you

In hope the light does not burn you!”

 

Walk Athenian,

May you never grow weary

Let your peplos sweep away the dust

Off human path

 

May they follow your path

Walk by your light

To Enlightenment

For Centuries

 

May your will burn on

In them and their posterity

So someday you need not walk

For the dreams and light

 

Of others

You are made of others

And nether-land’s dust,

Of long lost dreams

 

And wishes for brighter nights

Athenian, take peace

And remember us

Soft and Hearty humans

 

The ones your light swept

And we promise you

We will carry the torch

So rest

 

Our wish for you is

To never walk again

Don’t think us cruel

We do it with love for Our Athenian