Dyonisus and The Pirates
(Otava Rima form)

 

Born of the thigh of Zeus, named the God of vines, 
much despised by Hera, for her husband’s deed, 
he was Dyonisus, creator of wine, 
half god, half man, granted immortality, 
mortal ropes could never successfully bind. 
Ripped up by the Titans at Hera’s decree; 
returned from the dead by his grandmother’s hand 
he was raised by the nymphs of the mountain  lands. 

His moods could bring joy and divine ecstasy 
but just like fine wine he could also bring rage. 
While roaming he traveled beside the Greek sea 
where pirates considered this man of young age 
appeared to be wealthy from what they could see 
and thought that from him they could make a good wage, 
for if he was princely, the son of a king 
oh what a great ransom his capture could bring! 

When these thieving seafarers, boisterous and bold, 
attempted to tether him on board their ship, 
the ropes he commanded, and they would not hold 
but simply fell lifeless as if they’d been ripped 
while the man that they thought would win them much gold 
stood calmly and watched with a smile on his lips 
And no matter how hard that pirate crew tried 
the mighty Dionysus could not be tied. 

Then frightened, the helmsman declared to the crew 
that surely the gods must be on this man’s side 
so free him, and beg him forgive what we do! 
The captain rebuked him -- "you fool!" he did chide, 
and ordered that pirate ship set sail anew, 
and put to sea where they’d easily hide. 
But though the great sails were unfurled to the wind 
steadfast in the harbour, they found themselves pinned. 

There were vines all around, entangled in masts, 
curling through railings and across the ship’s bow, 
and there, without mercy, their vessel held fast. 
Then Dionysus changed, with a mighty growl 
to become a lion, his rage unsurpassed. 
Into the water leaped the crew  with a howl 
but they turned into dolphins when they got there. 
Only the helmsman, for his efforts, was spared. 




 				june 2003