Ajax’s Tale
When Ajax in his shining armor, out to battle flew
Friend and enemy alike would rush to read his cue
His height a tower, his might a wonder
They loved him soul and sinew
When fabled Achilles refused to fight
Brave Ajax took his place
Alone, Ajax of Salamis
Rose to meet the day
A man of integrity, virtue and courage
He rushed to save the Greeks
But his valor alone could not surpass
The Trojans’ many ranks
Then, Hector, bold prince, charged the enemy line
And felled Patroclus, loosing the beast
Held deep in Achilles’ mind
Even Ajax could not quell the fury
Let loose that fateful day
Then Achilles’ heel dropped him low
And Paris had his way
Ajax held fast to honor
Bringing his fallen friend home
Yet Odysseus’ pride in his own cunning
Named Achilles’ suit his own
With malice the gods crazed the man
Ajax, who’d been so true
To the Greeks home and abroad
And on Hector’s sword he slew
Such a pity to waste a hero’s life
The gods they surely felt
In remorse they wrote on the hyacinth, ALAS
To cleanse their blood stained selves.
