Pointless

As much as I love The Squire’s Tales,

I dread the approaching destruction.

The body count begins to climb,

And continues to go ever higher

Through the last two books.

Terence goes to seek knowledge in the underworld.

Tieresias asks why he cares.

Whether Arthur dies ten years earlier or not,

In light of the length of eternity,

It makes no difference at all.

Terence, enervated by this jaded weariness,

And lacking any significant response,

Turns to go. 

Then hears the sound that is, perhaps,

The most beautiful in that place or any place.

Whistling.

Sisyphus, known worldwide 

For the pointlessness of his task,

Cheerfully—but not idiotically—

Pushes the rock up the hill,

Again and again.

But he is not dismayed by this waste.

He maintains his essential self

And gives Terence the words he needs

To return to Tieresias and say that he cares

“Because to serve my friends

Is who I am.

Not to do so is to deny myself.”