Ode to Epicurus

A philosopher revered among the Greeks,
he was wiser than Aristotle, Socrates, or Christ

Largely because he taught truth,
his teachings were destroyed
by "Christian" Roman swords:
only a few simple messages survived
to the age of air-planes and laser beams,
compared with tomes of ancient myth
and nonsense(harmless even if "heretical")

In his remote garden community,
peopled with seekers and "disciples,"
he taught that:
"Gods" have nothing to do with our lives,
that pleasure is often nature's wise counsel:
even "the meaning of life,"
he sometimes put it.

If the stars please you,
gaze at them!
If running pleases you,
race on!
If gardening delights,
dig in!
If books intrigue your mind,
indulge!

Eat savory foods:
feast on vegetables, meats, and sauces
(but not too rich, even barley-cakes are delicious.)
Make gentle or rapturous love,
and seek to enjoy TRANQUILLITY.

Raising his hand to his rapt listeners
(in the setting Greek sun
beside the sun-flowers and artichokes,)
he emphasized one more point:

"Treasure friendship and friends;
Pure gold pales beside the bright harvest
of true friendship and comraderie."