Chasing Pandora

Prometheus had erred and caused great ire when stealing in stealth secrets of fire. But Zeus could not forgive this deed. The chieftain of gods punished his greed. The lightning zigzagged across the sky, in anger he let thunderbolts fly. Instructions he gave to mould from earth a woman endowed to prove her worth, all humans to touch their lives and shift the balance with her seductive gift. Hephaestus was told what to create; Pandora came forth through heaven’s gate. Athena supplied her silver gown, her head she adorned with ornate crown. She hastened to guile the human race her nature refined to tempt by grace alluring deceit that knew no shame her mission withstood distrust or blame. Pandora’s torment flowed wide and far. She carried with her an earthen jar. Instructions were laid to be obeyed to keep it enclosed and so it stayed till yearning became hard to resist temptation knew well how to insist. Alone by herself beside a brook she lifted the lid, a glancing look that opened the flood to evil force unhindered it spread and took its course. She panicked and pushed with all her might; the damage was done – eternal plight. A trickle of hope was left inside but hardly enough to turn the tide. When laws are defied they cause much grief; the pleasure derived is false and brief. Temptation is what destroys the weak; redemption is there for all to seek. Forever in life it’s hard to cope. Pandora we chase in search of hope.* ------------------------------------------------------------------- * Pandora is chased for the only thing left in her jar – hope. ------------------------------------------------------------------- Author: Paul Callus Contest: Men Only #2 Sponsor: Kelly Deschler Placed 1st