The Flaying of Marsyas, by Paul Burgess

he Flaying of Marsyas, by Titian (Italy) c. 1570s

The Flaying of Marsyas
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It started as a lovely festive time,
Marsyas piping everyone a tune
To pair with dancing, drink, and witty rhyme
Beneath a cloudless sky and glowing Moon. 

But soon Apollo came to play his lyre,
And drunk Marsyas, master of the flute,
Agreed to duel the god who'd soon require
A knife to peel the mortal's flesh like fruit.

Though hanging by his feet and being flayed,
Marsyas found the moment bittersweet.
He knew the soaring wonders that he'd played
Had made Apollo fear his own defeat.

The gruesome way Marsyas slowly died 
Was proof he'd wounded vain Apollo's pride.

Paul Burgess
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Paul Burgess, an emerging poet, is the sole proprietor of a business in Lexington, Kentucky that offers ESL, translation, and interpretation services. He speaks several languages fluently and has the same warped imagination in each of them. He has contributed his bizarre work to Blue Unicorn, The Orchards, Lighten Up Online, and several other publications.