Zeus' Mount

A poem about a mountaineer's quest to mount Olympus and his unexpected detour to the kingdom of heaven and the abode of the gods.

I clambered atop king Zeus' mount

to garner great glories beyond the clouds.

I hailed the hawks above and hearths beneath

for I was one with the winds, aloft without wings.

Thereon - a storm - those blue skies bore

with blinding lights and thunderous roars.

Its lightning struck at my poor feet's hold

and flung I was into peril below.

I awoke before a pair of golden gates

to heaven or hell I could not have claimed.

With a mighty grate they unveiled forth

an eternal bliss awaiting beyond:

Angels flitter between the bows

on Pegasi fleet and profound.

Palaces rise within the mist

marble pillared and golden kissed.

Muses chant enchanted tunes

 whilst aurae dance and satyrs flute.

Helios soars across the skies

upon his chariot with fiery pride.

The king of gods rests on his throne

bolt in hand and eagle in tow...

A celestial city, a paradise lost

to timeless revelry and banquets loft.

If only I had been a Hercules

granted immortality and deemed ideal!

Yet how could it be that man may abide

mundane as I among the divine?

My mortal flaw so incurred their wrath

I was spurned and spewed thence with holy angst.

Like Icarus I thus fell from the heavens

a trespasser on the sublime presence.

The winds blew me back to my lonesome peak

beseeching a Zion no longer in reach.

With trampled spirits I climbed down the vale

vexed over godly wills and human fate.

Yet then an eagle's shrill did I hear

glimpsed its outstretched pinions and talons fierce.

It swooped down on me with an olive wreath

then to the stormy heights it swiftly sweeped.

I clambered atop king Zeus' mount

and by the glory of the gods have I been crowned.