Pandora's Temptation
For the third time Pandora stands before the box
Inlaid with jewels ivory and gold
In her hand is the key – she closely examines
Intrigued by its intricate patterns - so ancient- so old
Her Creator’s mandate she has obeyed
She won the love of Epimetheus and at her bidding
Never to open their wedding box - he had never been tempted
Her devoted lover despite brother Prometheus forbidding
Her every wish - her husband’s command
But Zeus’s words her obligation till today
'Ouchi to koityon anoiksis’
However wedding presents need to be opened
Insatiable curiosity leading her to disobey
She is aware the brothers had so angered Zeus
When Heaven’s hearth fire they defiantly stole
That was denied to mankind to teach them a lesson
But she is unaware of the Gods plan and her critical role
Like witches a brew they must concoct
A female clay form fused to conception
Zeus and the Gods hatched a heartless plan
A woman will be part of their cunning deception
The breath of life is bestowed by Athena
From Aphrodite comes insatiability and beauty
Music from Apollo - Speech by Hermes
Bringing brothers to justice was her God given duty
They named her Pandora - ‘The Bearer of Gifts’
Then present her they did to the brothers two
Epimetheus captivated, enchanted when eyes first met
Eager was he to plunge into the sweet sensual brew
Brother Prometheus ever overly cautious
Suspicious of this beautiful apparition
Too late is his warning when Cupid appears
Swift arrow finds its target without hesitation
Pandora and Epimetheus are happily wed
The plot that relies on mans greed starts to seed
But in his zeal to punish - Zeus overlooked Love’s Power
True Love will overcome a mere mortal’s greed
FROM LIGHT TO DARKNESS - FROM DARKNESS TO LIGHT
‘This priceless box must contain vast treasures
The gold inlay alone must be worth a fortune’
Curiosity overcomes the fear of disobedience
Then winds enter to blow away all caution
Lifting the lid gently, Pandora closes her eyes
Then opens them slowly prepared to be amazed
Her looks of expectancy soon turns to horror
There are things in there that make her afraid
Out of the box pour moth like creatures
Stinging her till she falls to the floor
Pandora’s Box has unleashed to the world
Poverty, Misery, Disease and opened Death’s door
Epimetheus in his love rushes to her aid
Slamming the lid, but alas it is too late
They sting him as well and as they lie together
In the throes of death - her action sealed Mans Fate
Softly so softly the flapping of wings
A little voice imploring for its release
On opening the box emerges a dragonfly of beauty
Exuding such feelings of calmness and peace
She alights on them, she breathes air like kisses,
Curing their afflicted wounds and their sorrow
Releasing them from Death’s Dark Wishes
To make amends for a new tomorrow
In this precise moment Pandora knows her name
A changer of circumstances presenting new scope
She is the Emotion found between Despair and Love
She is Elpis - She is Expectation - She IS HOPE
Acknowledgement:
My heartfelt thanks to my dear friend Demetrios Trifiatis for your translation of - ‘Do not open the Box’ into ancient Greek ‘Ouchi to koityon anoiksis’.
Demetrios is a well known, long term contributor to Poetry Soup and his poems and daily inspirations are a source of encouragement to all.
While the music is not music from the Pandora Opera, we felt that more dramatic music was needed to suit the story.
O Fortuna –Carmina Burana by Carl Orff, seemed to fit the bill admirably.
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