The Ballad of Agamemnon

an absurd poem in several parts

   We must return to Babylon, Babylon, Babylon

   the ancient city of Babylon

   but not until after the tourist season is over

   or we won't be able to get a good hotel room

   at a reasonable rate

   Is this the face that launched a thousand ships

   or is it just early 

   and she hasn't put on make up yet

   It's been many years since Sir Walter Raleigh 

   lost his head in old London town

   now he can't go on most of the rides at Disneyland

   The fields of broccoli stretch towards the horizon

   pulsing and shimmering, wet with dew

   and as I shout my mighty yawp across the mountaintop

   my trousers have fallen down

   The bread that was warm is now stale

   and the wine that was sweet 

   leaves a bad taste in my mouth

   where is that damn waiter?!

Author's Note

For only fifty cents a day, the price of a cup of coffee- writers like me can get the counseling we so desperately need. Give freely.