The night I stared into the cyclops’ eye
prepared to die I knelt and bent my head
he pinched me by the nape and made me cry
and as a lamb I waited to be bled.
The night the cyclops made me face my sins
he told me that Odysseus and his men
had maimed his kin to save their skin
but I was welcome to his humble den.
The night the cyclops made me see the hues
and shadows of the moonless night, we saw
that life or death don’t matter for the bruised
and when I kissed my killer’s feet in awe
the cyclops let me see the rising sun
and meet my world where monsters carry guns.
Eye by M.C. Escher
Tonight it’s time for Open Link again at dVerse and Gabriella will tend the bar, and when I lack inspiration I sit down and write a sonnet. I found this wonderful picture by Escher that inspired me.
Come join us at 3 PM EST as usual.
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May 21, 2015
Björn Rudbergs writings 
I like where the classical references and imagery lead us until the closing lines when we realize we might have been led astray and ponder on the contemporary significance of your words. The sonnet form contributes to this classical feel.
Oh WOWZA! Very impressive as usual–and my heart caught on “life or death don’t matter for the bruised”. I think I can attest to the truth of that.
Not sure I would get close enough to a cyclops to stare into its eye….nor would I kiss my killer’s feet. Enjoyed the eerie story as well as the sonnet form.
The classical into the modern….great sonnet
Beautiful words Bjorn and a stark reminder that the monsters may not be as easily discerned as we think.
There be monsters all about, with corporate logo banners & bought politicians & war mongering militarists; reminding me that even after dropping fat man & little boy on Japan, the military still wanted to fight on, that ally China is militarizing man-made islands, that ISIS is far from defeated as they demolish temples & sell off antiquities; don’t get me started, brother. Your sonnet was excellent & the closing lines were killer.
Impressive!
You turned the story of Cyclops deliberately on its head – and gave it a sinister resonance. Hard, indeed, to distinguish who the goodies and baddies are…
Inspired you were dear Björn – impressive indeed.
Anna :o]
Well this is a cool write–beautifully constructed and crafted–
The rhythm and rhyme work exceptionally well in this poem, and the theme is spine-chilling.
I’m most affected by the last six lines.
What a way to take a monster and make it more monstrous…classic feel in the myth and sonnet form but edgy and right on in the modern sense…they last two lines explode.
I love the turning point where the cyclops says you are welcome in his humble den. We often assume animosity where there is none. Nice sonnet. Peace, Linda
Oh Wow Bjorn… I loved this one..so many layers!
A powerful message, beautifully delivered.
Powerful. I never saw the last two lines coming. Makes me sad that the monsters carrying guns claim to do so to protect us from other monsters.
” life or death don’t matter for the bruised”…a great truth.
This is a very powerful poem, Bjorn, and very impressive. This one line “life or death don’t matter for the bruised” says it all.
Bjorn this is stunning in it’ds discipline and rawness. THhe closing lines are so powerful, and even though I am acquainted with your wotk, I find it hard to believe English is your second or third language sometimes! Such a strong piece.
Powerful and lovely poem.
Thoughtful and quite superb.
A wonderful weaving of myth and metaphor.
Terrific sonnet and couplet gave me chills ~ (Do you mean “me” in:
he pinched my). Have a good week Bjorn ~
Oh indeed ,,, How come I have missed that one 🙂 Have a wonderful weekend.
Makes me think of all the magical creatures that might have once roamed our world, and yet we killed them off – maybe for food, or shelter, or clothing – but also for sport, and an unwillingness to cross the divide of our differences and embrace something or someone different from ourselves.
Smiles–I just listened to a CD about Odysseus and his boys–fun to think of it from the point of view of the poor Cyclops. There is much to consider in this story and I enjoyed where you took it.
Fun images and rhyme to fit Cyclopes into a story
Your words are powerful and universal, Bjorn–and amplified by your rhythm and choice of form.
Ah yes.. guns and monsters.. go hand in arms..
in dark soul night..of bruise and batter
dryfuLL tears.. makes death a gift..
never..
to fear again..:)
oh yes, the monsters of today are much more horrifying than those monsters of mythology…most likely because the monsters of today are all too real!
Truly Cyclop’s night – you made me fear it too. But the effect of fear you build here is very enjoyable.
Oh Bjorn I do enjoy a dark sonnet..and of course you do them well..smiling.
Killer ending and I hadn’t seen that picture by Escher before so thanks for sharing that…..it’s really cool 🙂
you’re written a perfect twist to this tale…i remember reading the original cyclops back in middle school.
I was transported by your brilliantly rendered dissolve from classical/mythological to modern/chilling reality. Excellent!