Every Remaining Last God

Covered by cloud the out-of-sight tops of soaring towers,
Buckling under their own weight, beginning to topple from 
Those airy heights;
The gaping breach - the once impregnable outer wall!
The inner keep ablaze with greedy, insatiable flame;  
A thunderous cacophony of crashing cymbals and blaring 
Horns;
Wide-eyed lurching panic desperately grasping at the fleeting 
Moment...
And the whole World immersed into madness. 

Hauled above the line of the high-water mark 
The bleached, gnarly boards of the depleted Longships; 
And when hurriedly stripped bare of brine-drenched hempen 
Rope and torn white sail.
The golden sands burning with all the brilliant radiance of a 
Million candle lights;
And below a shattered sky...an enormous, disintergrating Sun 
Collapsing into a hissing sea!

And now you come to tell me that Agamemnon is dead.
Dead? Is that how you say it: "Great Agamemnon is...dead."

So..all is done then. But is one death nearly enough for the 
Cruel and needless sacrifice of gentle Iphigenia?

Every remaining last God to be brought to this place...
Summoned together, here, today; and this in itself...
A dreadful thing.

For never can such be given up to us again.
Copyright © | Year Posted 2025

Poem

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Mac Donald Avatar
August 20, 2025 at 5:37 AM
Oops, I will need to drop Mother Goose off to allow resounding intelligence to board. I don't believe that we've been fishing in the same waters; you are further upstream.:). Keep well, Mikki
Mac Donald Avatar
August 24, 2025 at 4:11 PM
Thank you (),,()
Fleming Avatar
August 21, 2025 at 12:36 PM
Thanks, Mikki. Stay well and safe yourself. You are always most welcome here. :) john
Woods Avatar
August 4, 2025 at 7:49 AM
Oooo an intellectual poem! Zoom! Right over my head lol! But i can still appreciate your style and the drama in your words! I enjoyed this for the intensity you captured. Xoxo
Fleming Avatar
August 4, 2025 at 10:44 AM
Thanks Crystol. It is the tale of "The face that launched a thousand ships" - Helen of Troy! Agamemnon sacrificed his daughter, Iphigenia, to the Gods to ensure victory. He got his victory...but on his return...his wife murdered him as he lay in his bath. The speaker in the poem is Zeus: King of all Gods. He knows this is the end of the Gods; they will not exist if Man stops believing in them. He is calling all the Gods together...for he knows soon the Gods will fall into disuse. He wants to warn them...but it will be too late. :) john
Etgen-Baker Avatar
July 30, 2025 at 5:14 PM
Your poem forced me to recollect the story of Agamemnon...oh the horror of revenge...it lives, even today. well done!
Fleming Avatar
July 31, 2025 at 2:58 AM
Ahhh yes indeed..."the horror of revenge". And will, undoubtedly, continue to be exacted. As long as there is outrage...there will be revenge. A sad World that will continue to keep making the same sad mistakes. You would think we would have learned by now. Apparently not. Thanks for the comments, Sara. :) john
George Avatar
July 28, 2025 at 9:16 PM
This is indeed so remarkable, that you have renewed and brushed up the dusted memory of the revenge of Clytemnestra and the murder of Agamemnon...and the ensuing happenings that I studied in my post graduate English studies. Wonderful narration exposing the horror and fury of revenge. This story of vengeance for the sacrifice of Iphigenia to the Gods is powerfully narrated in your astounding poetic style. This goes into my FAVE, dear John.
Fleming Avatar
July 29, 2025 at 2:58 AM
Thank you so very much, Valsa, for all the high praise. You are the first one to instantly realize what the poem is all about - you nailed it absolutely! Much obliged. :) john
Velasco Avatar
July 25, 2025 at 11:11 PM
Wow, this really paints a dramatic and intense picture—like you’re right there amid the chaos and ancient tragedy. Powerful and gripping!
Fleming Avatar
July 26, 2025 at 5:57 PM
My sincerest thanks for your lovely remarks -- very much appreciated, Rowena! :) john
Etgen-Baker Avatar
July 23, 2025 at 3:54 PM
Indeed, the world is immersed in madness. I see in your comments that Zeus is the narrator. Knowing that helps give some structure to your beautiful and engaging words. What a unique poetic talent you have.
Fleming Avatar
July 26, 2025 at 5:55 PM
Thank you, Sara, for your very kind and generous remarks...I can assure you that they are very much appreciated. My very best regards! :) john
Rose  Avatar
July 23, 2025 at 9:37 AM
We need all the Gods we can get our hands on, dear poet, if they all came here, maybe they'd humble us and we would become more aware of how to take care of each other, and live for each other and not for oneself, thank you for this poem dear poet
Fleming Avatar
July 23, 2025 at 10:35 AM
Thank you as ever, Rose, for your thoughtful and warm words. You are welcome here as anyone. My very best regards as always! :) john
Agustin Avatar
July 23, 2025 at 5:47 AM
Thanks for sharing this... exposing your thoughts through your unique poetic style. Meanwhile, I greet you with the love of the Lord, expressed by John 3:16 of the Bible, "For God so loved the world, that he gave his only begotten Son, that whosoever believeth in him should not perish, but have everlasting life." Be blessed.
Fleming Avatar
July 23, 2025 at 10:23 AM
Thank you, Beata. This tired old World of ours could do a lot worse than embrace some 'brotherly love.' Much appreciated! :) john
Baker Avatar
July 21, 2025 at 9:09 PM
A mighty tale through your poetry has been spun, John. Very engaging and interesting poetry. I'll be following your poetry now. Write On! A poet friend to be in Texas, Bill p.s. Sara Baker is my wife.
Baker Avatar
July 23, 2025 at 6:20 PM
Thanks for the explanation, John, I didn't remember much of the story. Bill
Fleming Avatar
July 22, 2025 at 1:40 AM
Nice to make the acquaintance of both of you, Bill. Thank you for your kind commets - very much appreciated! :) john P.s the narrator in the poem is Zeus. He knows that with the murder of Agamemnon by his wife in revenge for him sacrificing their daughter (Iphigenia) to help ensure the defeat of Troy...it will ultimately bring about the demise of the Gods. He knew that when men stop worshipping the Gods...they then fall into disuse. And all for the 'face that launched a thousand ships'.
Chiri Avatar
July 20, 2025 at 11:58 PM
Your work John has always been and always will be amazing! It was you who got me to writing about gods and goddesses! Do you remember who it was I connected with the most? A goddess of sorts which felt was misunderstood? ;) we should collab again sometime! I have missed you and your words!
Fleming Avatar
July 21, 2025 at 5:21 AM
I have missed you also Brenda Lee...a lot. :) Helen of Troy...the inspiration for millions of poetic phrases...and always will be. It seems I misplaced a few lines from the original poem when I uploaded this version last night ...just found the original version now. Will upload a couple more lines. A collab sounds really very nice. Will be revisiting your excellent poems very soon. :) john
Dietrich Avatar
July 20, 2025 at 11:29 PM
Good seeing you and your excellent writing, John. So original.
Fleming Avatar
July 21, 2025 at 5:14 AM
Thank you, Andrea. You are most welcome here...you always are. Nice to be back! :) john
Lowe Avatar
July 20, 2025 at 6:31 PM
Indeed! Never again: in blessed assurance. One. Peace and Love.
Fleming Avatar
July 26, 2025 at 5:59 PM
Many thanks Millard! I truly appreciate your comments. :) john
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