Achilles

Someone asked Achilles
Do you want to die rich or broke?
Do you want to get old or famous?
He said, "Is this some kind of a joke?

"I wanna have reportors
See my fits of temprament
And if there aren't enough of them,
I'll just stay here in my tent."

And when at last he emerges
Dressed in his best suit of bronze
You know he's exhausted the options
Of pentacles, cups, and wands.

Hector's spear is ready
Paris' bow is bent
Agamemnon says he's sorry,
So please come out of your tent.

I know the gods could hear me
If I only had the voice
And I'd be just like Achilles
If they'd just given me the choice

I've said what I came to say,
I'll just await your consent.
So you go kill me some Trojans
And I'll just stay here in my tent.

Steven Brust        17-May-89