Note: Several people have asked why I use the name Sisyphus and so I’ve decided to publish several of the poems over the next few days from my book length poem based on the myth. You will see that all of the poems take place with Sisyphus pushing the huge stone up the steep hill while singing his story to the stars.

DEAR STARS

Dear Stars,

I toss these words into the sky

like a juggler tosses balls he cannot catch.

I don’t know why,

or if my words will reach your ears,

or anyone’s,

but still I speak.

I am Sisyphus.

My cheek against this stone is stone.

My shoulders ache

from shoving up this hill,

a weight,

if I let go

would crush my bones and brain.

And so, I push with all my might

and strain

to reach the top

where I can rest and let this boulder drop

before I turn.

Why reminisce?

Why tell what I have seen and done?

Why burn

to toss these words into the dark

as if the universe might care?

Why take another breath

and fill my lungs with air

and tell these tales?

Why not let go

and let this stone fall back on me and end

this endless work?

I do not know!

It makes no sense to walk with bloody feet

on stones towards doom--

and yet I do

and toss these words through time

as if the sun that burns my skin

is burning you,

somewhere.

So hear my words out there

and know this stone is ours to share.