What if the whole epic
has tongue tucked in cheek?
We’ve only his word . . .
Was there really a freak
man-eating Cyclops
with only one eye,
or a nympho Calypso
saying live and let die
or did he just need
a good story to tell
to prevent Penelope
giving him hell?
The guy after all
was known for his cunning
e. g. his plot
to spring Helen the stunning.
Maybe. But the sirens?
Do they sing for you too?
Or – like him? – do you wish
at least that bit were true?