Oedipus Wrecks
Aghast, Jocasta and Laius of Thebes did shudder
At the proclamation of the Oracle at Delphi, of their newborn son,
They sentenced their baby to death, hoping the frightful destiny is undone.
“Kill our baby and feed him to the wolves,” wailed the parents,
“We know of no other way to prevent him from becoming such an errant.”
The executioner took the child to the forest to abide by the royal decree,
But to kill the innocent child, his heart didn't agree!
He left the child in the hollow of a tree,
Hoping a hungry, wild animal would carry out the horrific plea.
Hearing the wails of the child, a passing woodcutter pulled him out,
Saw the poor thing’s leg had an awkward snout.
Wondering which evil person could leave a baby so helpless,
He carried him to the king of Corinth who was childless.
The Corinthian king was thrilled at the sight of the child,
“He will be my son and the future king,” he smiled.
Oedipus, the boy with the awkward foot, grew up happily,
Under the loving care of his adopted family.
When he was old enough, he learned of his abandonment,
Feeling unloved and unwanted, he ran away from Corinth.
Whether to find his real identity,
Or to soothe his tormenting agony
At being abandoned, he did not know,
He only wanted the feeling of desolation to go.
On his journey, he met an older man on a narrow, one-horse bridge,
They stood opposite each other, both unyielding and rigid.
In the ensuing ego duel, Oedipus struck the old man dead.
He continued on his way, reaching kingless Thebes living in dread.
At the entrance stood the evil Sphinx, ready to devour anyone
Who refused to answer her riddle that baffled everyone.
She held Oedipus to ransom too,
“Answer my riddle, or I will kill you.”
“What is it that walks on fours in the morning?
On twos in the afternoon? On threes in the evening?”
Clever Oedipus replied instantly, “Man, between his birth and death!”
Hearing the right answer, the Sphinx jumped to her death.
The people rejoiced, being freed from the evil Sphinx,
They rewarded Oedipus by crowning him King of Thebes,
They also wedded him to their recently widowed queen,
How their old king met with his death was a mystery, indeed.
And so, Laius and Jocasta became part of the very fate,
From which they had planned to escape.
Therein lies the tragedy; hoping to run in the opposite direction,
They were really hastening towards their fated destination.
When Jocasta learned of her unwitting, yet incestuous interconnects,
She killed herself, her mind in a shameful vex,
Oedipus lived for his children, but his heart and mind in irreparable wrecks.
This is the twisted, sad tale of the powerful, brave, and kind Oedipus Rex.
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