After the Flag Fell

Inspired by the Humility chapter of The Pursuit of Happiness by Jeffrey Rosen

I meet up with the ranks of my military Marching forward to vanquish our evil foe The men bravely clash with our adversary Tension builds as our advance becomes slow

The tide of the battle turns against me Enemy forces surrounding us all I panic looking for a way to flee Crying, I watch my flag on the clock fall

My opponent reaches out with their hand “Good game” they say before I flip the board The shame felt in loss they can’t understand I cover my eyes as tears of defeat poured Such an unmanly sight that I’ve become My opponent assures me I’m their chum

Between Dionysus and Themis

Inspired by the Temperance chapter of The Pursuit of Happiness by Jeffrey Rosen

Dionysus offers me all that pleasures
Much wine and food that bring me to madness
I’m joyful that he gifts me these treasures
In the end though all I feel is sadness

In comes Themis to save me from despair
She teaches me that I desire bad things
That what fills gluttony runs like a hare
I learn to enjoy all that the world brings

Themis says to see her again to climb
Though it’s hard this is where I’m made happy
Everything of value is worth my time
Hades will meet me so I’ll be snappy

Before I ran away from the god of death
Now I find myself lucky out of breath