Diomedes, slave
To Athena’s whim,
Laughed at Troy with spear and shield,
Drank with gods the war-cry’s sound,
And crippled the man enough a fool
To stand against Tydeus’ son.
For Helen and home, he sailed the wine-dark sea.

From Heaven he comes to seek his beloved.
He stands though slain; from the grave, firstborn.
The strong, he cripples. The wise, he fools.
He drinks wine to resurrection songs,
Laughs to scorn men’s unbent knees.
Loving providence,
Christ obeyed, is free.