I Am Sisyphus
I am
more powerful than the gods
am
above
these so-called forces
of nature. Gravity
to me
is just another weight
to overcome.
And I believe,
after these trials,
the Underworld
escape,
games, merely,
that the rock will tip.
4 responses so far ↓
kflagg // May 1, 2008 at 9:55 pm
Simone, just a quick comment. I love how the stretched out, broken form of this poem evokes the gravity you mention in the sixth line — there’s very much a feeling of suspension (and oddly, for me, of falling) that works beautifully. Also, I love your last lines — “games, merely” is so arresting in particular.
I think you might want to revisit the title, though. You want to clue your readers to Sisyphus, but I found “The Myth of Sisyphus” a little too literal. I’d go simpler (maybe just “Sisyphus”) or expand your scope a little. Just a thought. Overall, very lovely.
simone // May 2, 2008 at 12:20 am
Katie – thanks for your comment! What do you think of the title “I Am Sisyphus”? I’m thinking about using that, because it will read well into the first line, I think.
kflagg // May 2, 2008 at 4:31 pm
I like it! You’re right — it falls so effortlessly into the poem that follows.
bgblogging // May 5, 2008 at 7:25 pm
I like this one, too, for the reasons Katie points out, but I wonder if it should be longer, even more stretched out and weighty so that the irony of his hubris, and the absurdity of his condition will contribute their own layers.