Aching to Know

“‘Come here,’ they sang, ‘renowned Ulysses, honour to the Achaean name, and listen to our voices. No one ever sailed past us without staying to hear the enchanting sweetness of our song—and he who listens will go on his way not only charmed, but wiser, for we know all the ills that the gods laid upon the Argives and Trojans before Troy, and can tell you everything that is going to happen over the whole world.’" --Homer, The Odyssey, Book XII, Translated by Samuel Butler, 1900

Circe’s beeswax stopped the ears of your crew

Like all men, you were held fast by a mast

But your ears were vulnerable, we knew;

We chose just the right sonic spell to cast

Lust was not the secret to seducing you

Your heart belonged to Penelope fair;

You required a stratagem quite new:

Nothing mesmerized you like knowledge rare

Tales of the world before Troy was conquered

Glimpses of a future strange and remote

Secrets of nations through which you wandered

Polyphemus’ thoughts about that young goat...

Carnal appetites are easily stoked

By our music, your hungry mind was yoked