The Infinite Sadness | A poem by Abigail Morrow

So we didn't have a a post yesterday because we were all busy trying not to set ourselves on fire playing w/ fireworks (or just standing outside--dear lord it's hot!), but we're back on track today w/ a poem from another excellent first-year intern, Abigail Morrow.  Enjoy!

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The Infinite Sadness  

by Abigail Morrow                                                                              

Seven stars for seven sisters above the seven seas,

And each a seventh sadness marked Greek Pleiades,

Amidst the reign of Taurus and in likeness to the dove,

Flies Merope, youngest sister, in a race from hunter’s love.

Is this her only sadness? No, though the others have but one,        

It is her second sadness for which the other sisters shun.

Merope wed a mortal man entrapped in Hades’ embrace,

And so in shame and sadness the Lost Pleiad hides her face.

Eldest daughter Maia bears a sadness of her own,

As she raises Hermes, son of Zeus, in the night alone,

Electra, second-eldest, bears a secret similar,

As she cares for sons of the Gods who cared not once for her,

Taygete, middle sister, is the last to bear Zeus’ child,

Mother of city Sparta, her punishment is mild,

The other three have sadnesses from other Gods immoral,

But none can match that of Merope, wife of Earth-bound mortal.

Once the apple of Atlas’ eye and daughter of the sea,

She wasted in the sight of Orion’s company.

Seven stars for seven sisters above the seven seas,

And one a second sadness marked in passing as she flees.

Who is the seventh sister who runs from his caress?

It is melancholy Merope and her infinite sadness.