Just over a year ago, I intended to post this poem. Tonight, it felt fitting. How easily I allow deceit to choke my peace! How easily I simply give up, rather than fight on despite the odds, frustrations, or fears. It’s just easier to believe the lie or kneel to fear.
The Greco-Roman myths, full of flawed humans and atrocious divine beings, can still provide us with inspiration. As I’ve said before, I would never wish to worship these so-called gods, but I have been drawn to the stories of some of the great heroes such as Odysseus (see Tennyson’s Ulysses, for example) and Perseus. It’s why I’ve spent the past few years writing songs about many of the most recognized constellations, which you can find under the “Songs” tab at the top of the page.
Here, it is Perseus who emboldens me to rise above my own propensity to cave to lies and fear. If you are familiar with the myth, one look at Medusa (a gorgon) turned the gazer to stone. Perseus, armed with a mirrored shield from Athena, beheads Medusa, and from her decapitated body spring Pegasus and Chrysaor. For me, it is a reminder that I need to see things more clearly so that I may battle my own gorgons and from the subtle serpents of fear and deception, release hope and purpose.
Battling Gorgons
Vincent H. Anastasi - 2015 Pernicious the root that chokes this peace; persistent deceit that probes beneath All ploddingly tread beneath the curse; the penance we pay from empty purse Dim-mirrored the hope shadowed unknown, the terror still turns all hearts to stone Oh, Perseus rise with polished shield that venomous lies may be revealed and loose from her neck both head and horse that winged we may fly a truer course
the deepening ground 