Pandora's Temptation

For the third time Pandora stands before the box Inlaid with jewels ivory and gold In her hand is the key – she closely examines Intrigued by its intricate patterns - so ancient- so old Her Creator’s mandate she has obeyed She won the love of Epimetheus and at her bidding Never to open their wedding box - he had never been tempted Her devoted lover despite brother Prometheus forbidding Her every wish - her husband’s command But Zeus’s words her obligation till today 'Ouchi to koityon anoiksis’ However wedding presents need to be opened Insatiable curiosity leading her to disobey She is aware the brothers had so angered Zeus When Heaven’s hearth fire they defiantly stole That was denied to mankind to teach them a lesson But she is unaware of the Gods plan and her critical role Like witches a brew they must concoct A female clay form fused to conception Zeus and the Gods hatched a heartless plan A woman will be part of their cunning deception The breath of life is bestowed by Athena From Aphrodite comes insatiability and beauty Music from Apollo - Speech by Hermes Bringing brothers to justice was her God given duty They named her Pandora - ‘The Bearer of Gifts’ Then present her they did to the brothers two Epimetheus captivated, enchanted when eyes first met Eager was he to plunge into the sweet sensual brew Brother Prometheus ever overly cautious Suspicious of this beautiful apparition Too late is his warning when Cupid appears Swift arrow finds its target without hesitation Pandora and Epimetheus are happily wed The plot that relies on mans greed starts to seed But in his zeal to punish - Zeus overlooked Love’s Power True Love will overcome a mere mortal’s greed FROM LIGHT TO DARKNESS - FROM DARKNESS TO LIGHT ‘This priceless box must contain vast treasures The gold inlay alone must be worth a fortune’ Curiosity overcomes the fear of disobedience Then winds enter to blow away all caution Lifting the lid gently, Pandora closes her eyes Then opens them slowly prepared to be amazed Her looks of expectancy soon turns to horror There are things in there that make her afraid Out of the box pour moth like creatures Stinging her till she falls to the floor Pandora’s Box has unleashed to the world Poverty, Misery, Disease and opened Death’s door Epimetheus in his love rushes to her aid Slamming the lid, but alas it is too late They sting him as well and as they lie together In the throes of death - her action sealed Mans Fate Softly so softly the flapping of wings A little voice imploring for its release On opening the box emerges a dragonfly of beauty Exuding such feelings of calmness and peace She alights on them, she breathes air like kisses, Curing their afflicted wounds and their sorrow Releasing them from Death’s Dark Wishes To make amends for a new tomorrow In this precise moment Pandora knows her name A changer of circumstances presenting new scope She is the Emotion found between Despair and Love She is Elpis - She is Expectation - She IS HOPE Acknowledgement: My heartfelt thanks to my dear friend Demetrios Trifiatis for your translation of - ‘Do not open the Box’ into ancient Greek ‘Ouchi to koityon anoiksis’. Demetrios is a well known, long term contributor to Poetry Soup and his poems and daily inspirations are a source of encouragement to all. While the music is not music from the Pandora Opera, we felt that more dramatic music was needed to suit the story. O Fortuna –Carmina Burana by Carl Orff, seemed to fit the bill admirably.