Poetry Day: Icarusian Idols

Icarus

(Guess a downside to poems going in alphabetical order is that you can get some that are similar.  This is about how people seem to enjoy others failing.  We do love to see famous people and heroes fall from grace.  Not sure why.)

Humans love their heroes
Especially when they fall
Nestor is a footnote
Remembered only by the sages
While Achilles thrives eternal
Known for how he died

 

I wonder why this is
That we praise amazing men
And fantastic women
Supporting them to heights
Secreting saliva
In dark anticipation

 

Our idols coated gold
By the worship they absorb
They tarnish in the sun
Blind to their spiral
Goaded on by faithful
Entertained by self-destruction

 

Genuine respect
Twists so abruptly
Into savage disdain
As if the fall
Is the inevitable finale
The idol’s only reason

 

So I sit
Waiting for the news
Who will tumble next?
Falling into the abyss
Expecting to be saved
By the prayers of wolves

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About Charles Yallowitz

Charles E. Yallowitz was born, raised, and educated in New York. Then he spent a few years in Florida, realized his fear of alligators, and moved back to the Empire State. When he isn't working hard on his epic fantasy stories, Charles can be found cooking or going on whatever adventure his son has planned for the day. 'Legends of Windemere' is his first series, but it certainly won't be his last.
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9 Responses to Poetry Day: Icarusian Idols

  1. L. Marie's avatar L. Marie says:

    Sad but true that someone else’s fall makes many of us feel better about ourselves. 😞😞 It’s like so many of the former Marvel fans are now cheering for its demise.

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  2. A terrific poem describing a facet of the human condition perfectly.

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  3. I think such hero-worship is based on genuine need for someone to look up to, and then when they falter the disappointment turns to malice.

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  4. Oloriel's avatar Oloriel says:

    “Falling into the abyss
    Expecting to be saved
    By the prayers of wolves” – loved this ending, perfectly said.

    I think if we look hard or deep enough, we could make anyone into a hero or a villain, I dislike how severely all our media is so focused and capitalizing on that, while we could be using it instead to improve humanity.

    On a personal note, its something I experience with feedback to my poetry from loved ones and friends; for some reason my writing seems to be the most to their liking when I am writing about personal , horrible turmoil.

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    • I think there’s something in the human psyche that feeds off tragedy. No idea why. Yet, the media knows a sad or terrible story will get more attention than a positive one. It’s like happiness is fleeting while negativity is forever.

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