V: Phaëthon (the Boy) Tangles in Moira’s Net

Too soon the baby’s grim fate appeared

to Grandfather Oceanus as he tossed the child

high over swells, tumbling him in play.

An omen: Phaëthon plummeted into riptides,

rehearsing his final plunge and drowning—saved

now by Oceanus from being swept under.

Grasping, the grandsire protected Phaëthon

from gravity’s law, although he grieved to see

foreshadowing of Phaëthon’s prophesized death.

Phaëthon’s mother watched the boy’s splashes,

happy with his exuberance, not knowing

a knife too soon would pierce her heart in grief.

The willful boy explored his mother’s household.

When still a child he traveled to Sicily

to visit vineyards and cattle of his sun god father.

There the boy made a horsewhip of willows,

crafted a garland star, and carved a toy chariot.

He fastened torches to his head in play.

When barely a man he pined for a man’s power.

He handled his father’s horses and the whip.

He begged his sun god father, cajoled, and wept.