Helen Of Sparta Poem by Paulos Ioannou

Helen of Sparta came into my life
deliberately in the thick of night
wearing just a white chiton
enfolding her ethereal beauty
seeking a little warmth,
a little love as we were ready
to set sail for our beloved Troy.

After the ten year war
she was forcefully
taken back to her husband
to cold and sterile Sparta.
On leaving she vowed
to come back to me
'No' I said I do not want
another war another destruction
because of a woman
no matter how beautiful,
no matter how seductive.
'Silly' she said 'the war, the destruction
was not about me.
Wars are never fought over women
no matter how beautiful,
no matter how seductive.
It's always about plunder, power and glory'