The Triumph Of Achilles Poem by Louise Gluck

The Triumph Of Achilles

Rating: 4.4


In the story of Patroclus
no one survives, not even Achilles
who was nearly a god.
Patroclus resembled him; they wore
the same armor.

Always in these friendships
one serves the other, one is less than the other:
the hierarchy
is always apparant, though the legends
cannot be trusted--
their source is the survivor,
the one who has been abandoned.

What were the Greek ships on fire
compared to this loss?

In his tent, Achilles
grieved with his whole being
and the gods saw
he was a man already dead, a victim
of the part that loved,
the part that was mortal.

COMMENTS OF THE POEM
James Dawson 28 April 2021

could be gayer

27 1 Reply
Mahtab Bangalee 12 November 2020

he was a man already dead, a victim of the part that loved, the part that was mortal. //// Everything in decaying if it is perishable nature Everyone dies if there is life in this mortal body Achilles - not a god, Patroclus- not a god I do not know if the gods have souls! But Achilles and Patroclus had souls that were mortal

0 0 Reply
P A Noushad 16 October 2020

Myth with heartfelt touch-great dear friend Louise Gluck.

1 0 Reply
Evan Pezas 08 October 2020

Ms. Louise Gluck, in a short poem, presents the tragedy of war and the drama of loosing a loved person. Brilliant

1 0 Reply
Colleen Courtney 14 May 2014

Enjoyable read! Have always enjoyed reading the Greek myths! Well done!

1 1 Reply
Louise Gluck

Louise Gluck

New York / United States
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