Odysseus in Contemplation

Odysseus in Contemplation of His Homecoming to Ithaca and Reunion with Queen Penelope 

Far away from our ancient moor,

I hear her voice call for my soul

and uplift me to heaven's door!

Can whispers like hers divinely toll,

commanding me onto our shore

like a god that reads from a scroll?

I sailed the seas and wandered afar,

from her and from all that was known;

and with only the bright North Star

to safely guide me through wind-blown

waves, I now cruise with the polestar

to at last return all alone.

Heaven and earth, and all marine,

no longer can more divide us;

and even the gods' wrathful spleen

cannot hinder my victorious

journey to Penelope, my queen:—

whose renown is her faithfulness!

By Ngoc Nguyen

From: United States