Passions

PASSIONS 


On the deck of his life’s boat 
In a state of confusion
Was he sitting
Gazing at the horizon of
The unknown 

Dark clouds of doubt were hovering
In his puzzling mind
His thoughts in disarray were venturing into a labyrinth 
Of faint speculations

The dilemma was his, knowing not where to go
The roads of virtue and that of vice before him
They stood: 
Equally appealing
              Equally accessible
                              Equally demanding!

He tried to pierce the veil of life’s mystery
With his wondrous, enquiring eyes but
Every effort is a sound failure:
                           The riddle persists
                                    The obscurity endures
                                                   The enigma remains.

Impatience enters now his troubled psyche and
Horrid panic becomes his constant companion.

Suddenly, his choleric aimless, and violent passions
Snatched the rudder of his life’s boat in their needy: 
  For control 
           Hungry for rule and
                      Thirsty for power 
Arrogant, reckless hands and 
In their eagerness to rule over his
Disorientated mind, enslaved 
Reason: The illuminated helmsman 
Hand-cuffed love: The tender-hearted captain and
Tortured understanding: The knowledgeable pilot and
Threw overboard benign compassion and
Holly mercy.

Shortly after, the humane crew of lofty virtues,
Subjugated to the newly established tyranny was:
Ruthlessly deprived of its power   
Violently derailed from its course and
Brutally twisted in its meaning, 
To fit passions’ newly adapted schemes,
Of infamy
Of turmoil
Of inconsideration and 
Of shameful vice. 

Then, as the sails of vanity and blind temptations
Opened wide and
The craven wind of uncontrollable urges rushed to 
Swell them with corrupt impetuous desires,
His shaky boat unguided drifted to the open rough sea
Of self-destructive indulgence,
Through the hurricane of obscure ignorance,
Towards the perilous sterile rocks of despicable lust
Where it crashed and sank into the abyss of filthy appetites,
In the graveyard of lawless souls at which 
Murky desperation eternally reigns!
 
Ah, if only he had chosen the path of virtue!

© Demetrios Trifiatis
   18 January 2013
Copyright © | Year Posted 2013

Poem

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Bunch Avatar
January 24, 2013 at 4:28 PM
Virtue and Vice, what a great poem. I actually ventured outside poetrysoup to examine epic poetry, but was led right back. One vice always seems to outweigh a thousand virtues. I really liked your poem, thanks for sharing.
Carrillo Avatar
January 19, 2013 at 11:43 AM
I really enjoyed reading this . I guess that sometimes we - form our own destiny. Thanks for sharing. Lucilla
Dietrich Avatar
January 18, 2013 at 10:42 PM
My goodness, an epic symbolic poem!! Much thought put into this, my friend. A poem to be appreciated!
Tams The Golden Girl Avatar
January 18, 2013 at 11:28 AM
Those are the choices we make Demetrios and we can all say 'if only' xx (by the way nice to see you)
Trifiatis Avatar
January 18, 2013 at 5:02 PM
Well, that is true and they cannot change. The past , as you know, cannot be changed even by the Gods! Thank you for visiting!
Horsman Avatar
January 18, 2013 at 4:02 AM
extremely profound,, and a wonderful poem to read,,, love the title,, yes passion can lead to alsorts of wonderful aspects in life,, also it can lead to one's demise...wonderful poetry Demetrios
Trifiatis Avatar
January 18, 2013 at 6:19 AM
Thank you my friend for apreciating it! Your comment is to the point. Thank you once more.
Shetley Avatar
January 18, 2013 at 3:17 AM
nicely put Demetrios. The less virtuous paths seem rewarding indeed, at first. They catch up to us inevitably. Well done!
Trifiatis Avatar
January 18, 2013 at 6:20 AM
Thank you!
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