“Pandora’s Box” Eve Riser Roberts

Curiosity means

remaining in the cave,

brash and brave,

to see if monsters

really do exist.

Or cracking the silver box

to see if Zeus’s present

wasn’t a trick.

Curiosity means

release and risk.

The good and bad

of knowing truth.

Curiosity didn’t kill

the cat,

cause a curse,

or create chaos

that her obedience would

have curbed.

Curiosity means reaching inside,

yanking your rib and gifting it

to science.

Seizing your own destiny.

Quenching your own thirst.

It means accepting

what can be discovered,

and who discovers it,

for better or worse.

©2023 | K. Hartless


GloPoWRiMo#21–Here’s today’s (optional) prompt. Begin by reading Sarah Gambito’s poem “Grace.” Now, choose an abstract noun from the list below, and then use that as the title for a poem that contains very short lines, and at least one invented word.

Glory
Courage
Anxiety
Failure
Defeat
Delight
Confusion
Calm
Belief
Cleverness
Despair
Honesty
Deceit
Strength

14 responses to “GloPoWriMo #21 No Cure for Curiosity”

  1. This is an amazing work of art, the poem and the painting.

    Liked by 1 person

    1. Thank you. Painting birthed first, and the art a very sweet find. I’m glad you enjoyed the pairing.

      Liked by 1 person

  2. Great poem, K! I love the ideas in it. But I am confused by those first 2 lines. I named my blog after that same story. Why do you think curiosity means staying in the cave?

    Liked by 1 person

    1. I was talking of Odysseus, actually as I just taught the odyssey. Odysseus’ curiosity costing men their lives and the monster his eye. I’m thinking your blog may be about Plato’s cave, correct? I may need to add at least one more detail there, I suppose. 🤣😃

      Liked by 1 person

      1. You’re right. I was thinking of Plato’s cave. Not familiar with the Odyssey, clearly! 🤣

        Liked by 1 person

      2. Plato’s cave is a life-changing lesson. The Odyssey is an epic poem. Perhaps a worth read some long winter.

        Liked by 1 person

      3. I have od course heard of the odyssey. I am aware of elements of its story. But I haven’t read it. I probably should.

        Like

  3. Tom Avatar

    Very powerful piece that could apply to lots of ancient folklore, including Prometheus stealing fire & Icarus’s flight. Great work, K! 🙂

    Liked by 1 person

    1. Yes, indeed. So glad we have the fire and the cautionary tale about soaring too close to real or imagined suns. Great connections. Thank you, Tom. Happy Friday!

      Liked by 1 person

  4. excellent; a paean to curiosity, not a warning against it; away with these old shibboleths like Pandora’s Box, Eve and the apple, the curious cat; love the rollicking rhymes that carry the message along !

    Liked by 1 person

    1. Many thanks, John. I do think curiosity has always been the main catalyst for change. My mad scientist side cackles as I say this.

      Liked by 1 person

  5. Love this my friend 🖤

    Liked by 1 person

    1. 💜😊

      Liked by 1 person

      1. 👍🖤

        Liked by 1 person

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