Cult
by Charles Southerland
Carved in the bark:
Reverence me. I am Helen’s Tree.
With Helen’s beauty on the other shore,
King Menelaus brooded at the sight.
It’s your duty now and then to start a war.
A thousand ships should do it, and you swore
An oath, remember? Tyndareus? Right?
With Helen’s beauty on the other shore,
Don’t tarry long to launch the fleet before
The weather turns, Odysseus; let’s fight.
It’s your duty now and then to start a war
And end it for the sake of Greeks, restore
Our pride and treasure. Trojans are a blight,
With Helen’s beauty on the other shore.
If all Olympus watches, keeping score—
Who’s winning and losing day and night,
It’s your duty now and then to start a war
For all their pleasure, such bloodlust and gore
And sweaty wooden horses serve them right,
With Helen’s beauty on the other shore.
It’s your duty now and then to start a war.