Circe and the Cyclops: In the Land of the Lotus-Eaters (Homer)

Posted byRobert K Stephen (CSW)Posted inliteratureTags:, , , ,

I was borne along by rough deadly winds

On the fish infested sea. Then on the tenth

Our squadron reached the land of the Lotus-eaters,

People who eat the lotus, mellow fruit and flower.

We disembarked on the coast, drew water there

And crewman snatched a meal by the swift ships.

Once we had our fill of food and drink I sent

A detail ahead, two picked men and a third, a runner,

To scout out who might live there-men like us perhaps,

Who live on bread? So off they went and soon enough they mingled among the natives, Lotus-eaters

Lotus-eaters

Who had no notion of killing my companions, not at all

They simply gave them the lotus to taste instead…

Any crewman who ate the lotus, the honey sweet fruit, lost all desire to send a message back, much less return,

Their only wish to linger there with the Lotus-eaters

Grazing on lotus, all memory of their journey home dissolved forever…

Homer: Circe and the Cyclops

Published by Robert K Stephen (CSW)

Robert K Stephen writes about food ,drink, travel, film, and lifestyle issues. He also has published serialized novels "Life at Megacorp", "Virus # 26, "Reggie the Egyptian Rescue Dog" and "The Penniless Pensioner" Robert was the first associate member of the Wine Writers’ Circle of Canada. He also holds a Mindfulness Certification from the University of Leiden and the University of Toronto. Be it Spanish cured meat, dried fruit, BBQ, or recycled bamboo place mats, Robert endeavours to escape the mundane, which is why he has established this publication. His motto is, "Have Story, Will Write."

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