When Atlas cracked under the weight of eternity, did he think, “I deserve this,” too? Did his anger overtake his throat, raging titan, ******* and sweating? Did he tire of enduring roads for godly men, not because of his failure to be strong, courageous, powerful, mighty, but for no reason that made reason. Why should a god like himself endure the weight of heaven? Why should he carry paradise when it beats, cracks, splinters chews into fingertips, rips at nails, callused hands, hopeless trembling arms burning, sweating, fuming with fury and might wasted potential, mere volition.
Published in the Summer 2010 issue of Wild Goose Poetry Review! http://wildgoosepoetryreview.wordpress.com/summer-2010/