Of Myths and Legends Suite

By Will Conway

"Of Myths and Legends Suite" is a collection of poems that pay homage to mythologies and legends across world history. From Gilgamesh to Sherlock Holmes, Cthulhu to Satan, this collection strikes into the colorful worlds glimpsed through the imagination of humanity. These poems are for those who enjoy journeying to other realms through the timeless words of poetry.

"Of Myths and Legends Suite" explores the depth of figures created by our ancestors. In poetic verse we learn the stories of gods and goddesses, heroes and monsters, throughout our profound history of storytelling.

• Language: English
• Publisher: BookBaby
• Release date: Aug 28, 2020
• ISBN: 9781098326647

Book preview

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I.

In the Realms of the Gods

Quetzalcoatl, the Morning Star

Before there was ever morning, night, or day,

The serpent helped to create new beginnings.

Blood and bones; just as they sustained prior worlds,

So, too, would they be the mortar of a fresh humanity.

Thus, his aspect of creator god came to fulfillment.

In the morning of the world,

The serpent decided to cultivate new growth.

Maize and harvests; just as they sustain the body,

So, too, would they be the clothing of the earth.

Thus, his aspect of vegetation god came to fruition.

In the evening of humanity,

The serpent desired to teach new wisdom.

Books and literature; just as they sustain the mind,

So, too, would they be the inspiration of the coming age.

Thus, his aspect of learned god came to completion.

In the twilight of his rule,

The serpent drank to celebrate new accomplishments.

Alcohol and intercourse; just as they sustain the revel,

So, too, would they be the bringers of regret.

Thus, his aspect of festive god came to realization.

But night always gives way again to morning.

The serpent chose to sacrifice old life.

Heart and soul; just as they sustain the spirit,

So, too, would they be the ascension of the heavens.

Thus, his aspect as the Morning Star rose once more.

Kali, Goddess of Destruction

One hand to hold the skulls of her enemies;

One hand to hold a chalice of blood.

One hand to bear knowledge as a blade;

One hand to bear fearlessness as a trident.

She who slays the asura generals;

She who slays the asura of bloodseed.

She who saves the world;

She who saves the divine.

Behold and tremble, for she is terrifying and terrific;

Behold and tremble, for she is disheveled and bloodthirsty.

Behold and rejoice, for she is a great protector;

Behold and rejoice, for she is a slayer of evil.

She wears upon her a garland of skulls;

She wears upon her the viscera of her enemies.

She wears naught but the elements;

She wears naught of earthly trappings.

In her eyes, boils a deepness of rage;

In her eyes, boils a thousand corpses.

In her arms, soothing kindness blankets all;

In her arms, soothing justice aids the righteous.

She that is menace, daughter of destruction;

She that is menace, sister of slaughter.

She that is solace, the ultimate reality;

She that is solace, mother to the universe.

Nephthys, Goddess of Night

To you, brother:

My love for you is an ankh,

Desiring an immortal influence.

If the deception works, I will sleep with you.

I cannot create without you,

As the world creates because of you.

To you, lover:

My love for you is a drug,

Poisoning, an addiction of anguish.

If deicide is your intent, I will work against you.

I cannot stay with you,

As you cannot stay your rage.

To you, sister:

My love for you is a mirror,

Reflecting the day and the dark.

If you quest for our brother’s remains, I will follow after you.

I cannot live without you,

As I cannot live without myself.

To you, son:

My love for you is a flame,

Burning away the crimes of conception.

If you judge the souls, I will prevail before you.

You cannot be known to my lover,

As you cannot know of oblivion.

To you, sun:

My love for you is a sword,

Slaying with the might of the moon.

If the serpent approaches, I will kill for you.

You cannot proceed without me,

As none can survive without your procession.

To you, spirits:

My love for you is a shield,

Protecting, for I am friend to the fallen.

If danger threatens, I will stand by you.

You cannot move on without me,

As all must move beyond the pale.

Amaterasu, Who Shines

in the Heavens

Great Mother to all,

Seat of Celestial Plains,

We do beseech you.

Leave isolation,

And return to us once more.

The storm is rueful.

He was but a fool,

A maddened bull lacking thought.

Do not punish all.

Ill deeds, done in haste,

Cast shadows upon your trust,

But true shadows stalk.

Oni of darkness,

In your absence, roam the plains.

Nightmares flood the land.

We start to