Narcissus Poem by Mary Champion

Born of heavenly parentage, this youth
was condemned by a surfeit of beauty.
But in a land without mirrors, the truth
would be hidden from him absolutely -
hidden ‘til he broke the heart of Echo
and Nemesis sought to exact revenge.
She led him where the crystal waters flow,
infused him with a thirst he had to quench.
Transfixed by his angelic symmetry,
burning with desire for his own image,
he could not find the courage to break free -
his whole spirit spent - he knelt in homage.
His death provoked a golden bloom to grow -
haunted by the hopeless grief of Echo.