597 - for Mother's Day

The Myrmidon of Thessaly could not

have known the spear nor shield that won his name

its kleos, without having had them bought

by Thetis, mother of his fate and fame.

Dear Nereid, whose aphthiton could not

descend with blood to he who you loved dear,

whose love almost made tangible the thought

that man could truly conquer fate and fear.

How much you loved when other gods would not,

how much you gave to he who chose to serve

his thnētoi, more than for what you had fought

to win him—what his works did not deserve.

You wished him joy, but gave him as he sought,

and knew all he would have—and would have not.