Stygian Kingdom of Woes

Death hath no mercy...

He sits silently on a throne made of bone

down in his Stygian Kingdom of woe.

The river's still flowing, but just where it's going,

no living mortal need ever to know.




His fleshless face locked in an ethereal grin;

he's truly never had much of a voice.

A bony fist rests 'neath his osseous chin ~

as he ponders who'll be his next choice.

Perhaps the young girl living just down the lane

who's been contemplating taking her life.

Feeling that death would bring an end to her pain;

an abrupt halt to her troubles and strife.

Or maybe the school  teacher ~ now showing signs

of a young student who's planted his seed.

Soon just a statistic, signs of the times,

~ of purest lust, poor choices and need.

It could be a soldier ~ a family's lone son;

yet perhaps, he'll embrace you alone.

Whomever he chooses, when all's said and done,

his icy grip, they'll feel deep in their bones.



Life's far too precious to just throw it away,

it's well worth living, if only they'd tried.

Tomorrow will dawn, usher in a new day,

but they've all hopped on the Ferryman's ride...




No more consultations, you've nothing to say,

for they've climbed aboard the Ferryman ride.~

Author's Note

Charon, in Greek mythology, acts as the ferryman of the dead. Hermes (the messenger of the gods) brings to him the souls of the deceased, and he ferries them across the river Acheron to Hades (Hell). Only the dead who are properly buried or burned and who pay the obolus (silver coin) for their passage are accepted on his boat, which is why in ancient Greek burial rites the corpse always had an obolus placed under his tongue. A rather somber and severe character, Charon does not hesitate to throw out of his boat without pity the souls whose bodies received improper burial or cremation.

Parents, if you have kids that have been acting strangely aloof, are being excessively quiet, and not acting like themselves, sit them down, talk with them. You're not "prying", you're being a loving and caring parent. You might also prevent them from doing something you'll both regret. The same applies to any member of your family and friends.

As always, thank you so much for reading and supporting my work.

Pleasant Screams...heh-heh-heh.

Reviews

[Jennie Baron]

This splendid work prompted me to visit the discussion between you and Momzilla, which was fascinating. I know we always say this when someone passes on unexpectedly, but life is indeed fragile and short, and we should always live and love to the fullest while we are alive. When we get discouraged and depressed and think life isn't worthwhile, we don't take this to heart. We don't all have a guardian angel as George Bailey does. Maybe we can be guardian angels. That's what I take away from your eloquent words here.

[PloughBoy]

Thank you so much for your very complimentary review, Jennie. You are absolutely right, we should love our family and friends when we have them here, and cherish every moment we get to spend with them. Live each day as if it was our last on Earth.

Thanks so much again.

~PloughBoy

[MomzillaNC]

The music… the words… the images… Stunning. All perfectly suited to the theme and so eloquently phrased. The saddest thing in all the world is the life not lived.

[PloughBoy]

I would have to agree with you 100% about the life not lived, my friend. They miss out on so much beauty, if only they'd stuck it out.

Thanks for the fabulous feedback. I do appreciate it! ~PloughBoy :)

[MomzillaNC]

You're very welcome.

Yes, they miss so much when they give in to that destructive impulse. When I think back to my own bad old past, and how badly I wanted it to just stop… it's making me teary just thinking of the tragedy it would have been -- I'd have missed out on the last 23 years which have given me uncounted moments of joy for every sorrow I suffered before. Most frightening of all… I'd have not only cut my own life short -- I'd have doomed my son to non-existence. That truly would have been the greatest tragedy; he's already touched so many lives with his heart of charity. He's raised more than $10K for the AHA in the last four years. I couldn't say how many elderly folk in nursing homes he's touched by just sharing his company with them, listening to their stories when he volunteers at the nursing homes. He's done ALS and Cancer walks and regular food drives for the local pantry. Raised money for the Hefer Project at church and so many more charities. I may never achieve anything more in my life; but, he's already achieved so much on behalf of so many others.

Oh my Lord, what right did I ever have to consider stopping?

I just wish all those folks out there suffering, feeling that drive to give into that voice of destruction could learn my story, could take heart and hope from my success. There is light on the other side of that wall. Through the tunnel and into the light…