Remembering Socrates

A poem dedicated to the great lover of truth, who ultimately became a martyr on his undeniable quest to spread that love.

In the Athens of long ago,

there was this man we now all know

by the name of Socrates, founding father

of philosophical enquiry against which we now measure.

 

The Socrates of a religion

before Christianity happened to occasion

known only through the Dialogues

of Plato, meaning 'broad', his best student with the fastest cogs.

 

His religion was this:

the quest for truth, now remiss

in today's world more so even than Athens

of old, Hellenic times at least encouraging the non-maidens

to pursue knowledge in whatever way was best

for themselves alone, no conditions, nor ulterior motives constantly to be guessed.

 

How admirable, how heroic indeed

was his trial, though defence permitted few to heed

the truth of his words, the enlightened mind

obvious in every conviction led by his 'guiding spirit' as we find

none more persistent, this gadfly

set on his divine mission to unsettle, annoy, and sting without a sigh

for his life's meaning was found

in this, his journey that started at the Oracle of Delphi, then ended without a sound.

 

A sound of protest he did not make

for his honour and conscience he took more valuable than life for its own sake.

Anytus, Meletus and co. had gotten their wish

whilst Plato amongst others wept as the Hemlock dish

was swifly downed by Socrates, unafraid

of death, curious more than might have been said

to see what came after, if truth

would finally be revealed, as the prophet forsooth.

 

And in the Athens of long ago,

there befell a woe

still felt even now.

 

Author's Note

This was inspired by the Apology, which actually brought tears to my eyes towards the end. Socrates has always been a fascinating philosophical figure to study, not least because he never wrote anything himself. Let me know if I've done him justice?

Reviews

[Alex Paulsen]

I like this, especially it's objective nature. I also like that you thought about me and sent a read request.

[Wendy Seames Garner]

Having never studied Socrates, I can't comment on whether you did him justice. I want to thank you for this information, and for piquing my curiosity.