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Poetry

The Song of Ulysses

by Clinton Van Inman

Of greatness and glory let us speak
For all things rich and noble
In proud ships tall let us seek
Again where only men are able

Tired we grown of glitter and gold
The constant curse of the market place
Let us dream of Delphic days of old
That Poseidon’s rage could not erase

Come, arise, my men, arise
For tomorrow we shall sail
Again under bluer Aegean skies
There to find newer walls to assail.

Circe’s song had made us weak
For we have slept too long and late
Now for greater joys let us seek
Knowing we are the masters of our fate.

This woeful world is much too remiss
But only in such a world as this
One without comfort, joy, or bliss
Dare we dare climb the steps of Olympus.

Come my men let us venture
Into the depths of the setting sun
There to find newer worlds to conquer
Long, long after this day is done.

Clinton Van Inman was born in England, raised in North Carolina, graduated SDSU with a degree in philosophy, and is now retired and living in Florida with his wife Elba.