Poetry and Hateful Plato
Alone among male populations of
The ancient world (and modern) Plato held
The poet Orpheus in hatred. Love
Of poets and of music had not swelled
In Plato, ever. Orpheus was charged
With cowardice and being just a harp
Player. The accusations were enlarged
Then. Plato said the poet was a sharp
Contriver wanting only to venture
Into Hades for the thrill. “Harper,” just,
No more, the gods despised him. The clincher?
He failed. She fell back into less than dust.
The poet got what he deserved, attacked
And killed by merest women. He got whacked.