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