I am cursed like Sisyphus
my deceits were minor
and yet the gods conspired
to create my endless burden
...
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Dear Barry, as far as I know, in the history of literature we, two, are the only ones who see the myth of Sisyphus from that point of view.I like your details and imagery which prove Sisyphus' optimism to overpass the punishment of gods.
I think the poem can be read as if it is from the point of view of Sisyphus but my intention was to say I am like Sisyphus feeling that the gods are punishing me for my minor transgressions. The first line of the poem is - thus I was punished too - meaning I am like Sisyphus, I also have been punished unjustly. It occurred to me that this stone rolling would eventually wear down the mountain if we have an eternity to wear it down. Men and mountains after all return to dust.
I have understood the intentions of the poem.In mine too what is to be noticed is the independence of the human being [Sisyphus] from gods.He likes his labour, he means to go on without the help of gods, he finds pleasure to see that the human kind can amid the labour, the pain can enjoy the light of the stars and sun.The first two vwrses mention the epic Muse [Homer-Ilias] and aaatributes to them the story of hies perpetual laboue....Do read my notes on the poem to see more.//I have added sth more.
Again to the poem, thinking to translate it.I found it robust too, like the eternal rocks of the universe., like the miracle of humankind's evolution!
Thanks. This would be a good one to translate I think.