Odysseus Strings His Bow

from the book "Odysseus's Odyssey"
 

The moment is here, Odysseus strings his bow.

Suitors take their turns; pull, stretch, everyone fails.

She offered the contest for her wedding vow.

 

Penelope’s suspicion of the beggar grows.

Odysseus back? Rumor, facts, so many tales.

The moment is here, Odysseus strings his bow.

 

Arrow through Antinous’s throat, the world knows,

bloodshed is on, the king is back, truth unveils.

She offered the contest for her wedding vow.

 

“He’s here, he’s back, kill suitors and all,” old nurse glows.

She replies “Could it be? God answers my decades of wails?”

The moment is here, Odysseus strings his bow.

​

The scar, the secret of his bed, she heeds now,

years of belief, disbelief after he set sail.

She offered the contest for her wedding vow.

 

Falls to her knees, she flings her arms, lets tears flow.

Holds him tight, in hell, in heaven, hails in hale.

The moment is here, Odysseus strings his bow.

She offered the contest for her wedding vow.