Wednesday, October 21, 2009

Narcissus



ABC WEDNESDAY 
http://abcwednesdayround3.blogspot.com/
letter
'N'


NARCISSUS


The world of the ancient gods was a troublesome one indeed
For punishments were meted out ad hoc.
Yet there's always some psychology that lurks there in the tales
Making us consider and take stock.
*
Narcissus was quite beautiful, in body and in face,
The local girls all longed to be his mate,
But Narcissus was an egotist and loved himself the best;
This was the reason for his final fate.
*
A seer once told his parents that their son would surely die
If he ever saw his face in a reflection.
Rivers acted as the mirrors in those days of long ago,
So they steered him in the opposite direction.
*
However, one fine day the boy discovered a bright stream,
And he knelt beside it just to slake his thirst.
What should he see but a handsome face just gazing up at him!
And remember! That young handsome man was cursed!
*
He fell in love with the picture that was there before his eyes!
He'd never seen so beautiful a sight.
He gazed and gazed at perfection with great longing in his heart,
All through the day and by the moon by night.
*
He forgot to eat! He forgot to sleep! He forgot to close his eyes!
He forgot to take a walk or take a rest.
All he could do was worship the dear object of his desire.
Today we'd say that he was quite obsessed!
*
In the course of time he weakened; he grew frail and pale and weak;
Yet still he gazed in utter adoration,
He never knew he loved himself, not even at the end,
When Death became the final tribulation!
*
A little flower, narcissus, sprang up in the place he died,
As a memorial to his lovely face,
It grows there by the water to remind us of a youth
Who had everything........but ended in disgrace.
*



And they are still among us; the Narcissists are real.
Self-love is good when taken in small doses.
But when it's overwhelming to a pitch beyond the normal
We say that Narcissism's neurosis.
*


Another disastrous reflection here:
http://rinklyrimes.blogspot.com/2008/12/239-polar-depress.html

16 comments:

Sylvia K said...

Terrific post for the N day, Brenda! Love the legend, love your words and the narcissus is so beautiful!

Enjoy!

Sylvia

Q said...

A wonderful N post.
Your photo of the narcissus is nice....
Sherry

Leslie: said...

Wonderful story/poem and beautiful narcissus. Someone somewhere has a narcissus blooming already! Quite unusual.

photowannabe said...

Thanks for sharing the legend with us. I had forgotten how it went and how the flower came to be. Great N post.

Nukke said...

That pic about that painting would have been bigger. It is such a beautiful pic !!!! But the story was interesting !
But do you know what NAURU means ???

Tumblewords: said...

I love the myths. You do a novel job of converting them to delightful poems.

Jane Hards Photography said...

Poor echo from what I recall from the myth. Well said in verse form as always.

Roger Owen Green said...

always enjoyed the legend; thanks for restating it so well

Ariel said...

Enjoyed reading this. I remember reading the story of Narcissus when I was in school.The pic looks beautiful.

Brian Miller said...

nicely replayed...i remember this one from school....

e said...

This fits in so well with Theme Thursday...

Thanks for sharing this.

California Girl said...

Really well written poem and usiing Narcissus as your theme is on the money. Love it.

Tom said...

i attempted a mythology poem like this once, but it didn't come out near this well. Spot on; Bravo!

Kris McCracken said...

He was a real spunkrat, that's for sure!

JeffScape said...

Echo?

Baino said...

Nice little redux for Theme Thursday Ms Rymes.