The Tragedy of Oedipus

Young Oedipus walked down the road, strong were his hands, shoes filled with sand
His heart was heavier than his load as he set out to unknown lands

He’d asked for guidance of the gods, but to his fret Apollo had said
That he would spill his fathers blood and share his mothers bed

Now on a crossroad a king said “Make way for me!” and suddenly
He smacked the traveler in the head, so filled with rage was he

Within a second it was done, red stains upon the sand
And none escaped except for one

He solved the sphinx’s riddle mean and rescued Thebes of all its grieves
They had him married to their queen now in her bed he sleeps

The years went by as he was king till a disease took lives with ease
They asked Apollo for the thing, the thing the gods would please

The terrible plague won’t go away until we can find out what men
Have killed the previous king one day and finally punish them
(Find them, kill them, send them away)

The seer who can see all things refused to say a word
And caused great anger with the king

When Oedipus got really mad the seer-man said think again
About who are your mom and dad, you’ll be a miserable man

Don’t listen to the seer’s breath, said then the queen, for it has seen
My son to cause the old kings death yet on crossing road it’s been

Oedipus grew gray to hear, “Did you just say a crossroad way?”
Oh, how you’ve struck my heart with fear for I’ve been there one day

And then a messenger arrived “My lord, you now are king
Of Corinth for your father’s died!”

Then Oedipus told them his tale of prophecy, so they would see
That though now its first half had failed, the second still could be

“My lord, you’re not their own born son, I brought you there in my arms bare
From out the hills of Cithaeron thanks to a shepherd’s care”

And here arrived the witness man to solve the case for he knew the face
Of the old king’s murderer and of Oedipus’ true race

The queen then realized it all, she couldn’t bear the truth
And ran back through the palace hall

The old man wouldn’t say a thing, till under threat he told them that
He was the son of the old king, that by his own hand was dead

King Oedipus then finally cried, for now he knew it had come true
He found his mother hanged inside and decided what to do

He stuck his eyes out so that he would never see his misery
He then left Thebes with all its cries, a broken man was he

A troubled man walks down the road, blood on his hands, shoes filled with sand
His heart is heavier than his load as he sets out to unknown lands