Straight-laced and tongue-tied, med school then real life,

Aching footsteps to follow

Pin-sharp and dedicated, always calm and ever patient, 

And yet it all rang hollow.

Socrates would have a field day, with someone so boiler-plate, 

And that’s when the stars aligned.

When the universe conspired for a candle wick to meet fire,

You tripped into my arms and there stopped time.

Stood shaking on my doorstep, a breeze away from death

Snarling, a lioness backed into a corner, 

A look that would kill a saint, but I refused to be afraid,

Knowing any hint of pity would be torture.

And I think,

Helen Of Troy, will you tell, is this how Athens fell?

Did they stand strong or beg forgiveness?

Helen Of Troy, say the word, and turn my life into a blur,

Hand on my heart, Hera as my witness.

Helen Of Troy, make me a promise, don’t try to be a goddess;

The Pantheon doesn’t scout for recruits.

Helen Of Troy, fall into me, journey back to Eurydice,

I’ll kiss the purple off of every bruise.

In the mirror you paint on such a brave face,

Behind those brown eyes little more than a void.

But I was witness to its death in the twisted sheets of a twin bed,

It was my hands that left it destroyed.

Have you ever let yourself feel a touch that was tender?

Not branded with Wax from Icarus’ wings

When the ghosts have left, come back to bed,

There’s no shame if the past still stings.

Paris was a damned fool, that everyone knew, 

Scholars snicker at his expense,

But now I wake in the night, brush your hair to block the light

Oh sweetheart, you’re the bane of my existence.

And I think,

Helen Of Troy, will you tell, is this how Athens fell?

Did they stand strong or beg forgiveness?

Helen Of Troy, say the word, and turn my life into a blur,

Hand on my heart, Hera as my witness.

Helen Of Troy, make me a promise, don’t try to be a goddess;

The Pantheon doesn’t scout for recruits.

Helen Of Troy, fall into me, journey back to Eurydice,

I’ll kiss the purple off of every bruise.

I’ve seen many sores, watched many wars

wrapped many bodies in gauze

Patched many wounds, haphazard and crude, 

But never truly looked, never had cause. 

And I’d burn down the world for just one girl,

Give Paris a run for his money,

Rip my careful plans to tatters, but it doesn’t matter

I’m already on my knees.

You fall onto my shores, the Acropolis crumbles to the floor,

The Cerynian hind, a headlight-stricken deer

I can see it in your eyes, why the Ancients lost their lives,

So, Helen, lay down your spears.

And stay, stay here. 

And I think,

Helen Of Troy, shut the door and call off the war and

Let Odysseus grow old,

Helen Of Troy, drop the pretenses, drop your defenses,

You don’t have to fight your battles alone.

Helen Of Troy, dry your tears and let out yours fears and

Lay in my arms and let it go.

Helen Of Troy, I call your bluff, so will you call it love?

Take my hand and take me home.