I have always that thought that the legend of Sisyphus was an apt metaphor for all human endeavors especially creative ones.
For those unfamiliar, Sisyphus is a character from Greek mythology who was doomed to push a boulder up a steep hill for eternity only to see it roll back down and therefore begin the frustratingly futile and laborious process all over again.
One week ago I came up with this rough draft of a poem while on my daily jog. Though I have primarily written only instrumental music the past few years I fully intend to find a proper musical setting for this idea.
To my way of thinking it presents a nice twist to the tale if Sisyphus accepts his predicament with a sort of Zen-like calm and embraces his fate. This twist is what the title derives from.
After all, this is what we all must inevitably do or at least should do.
“Sisyphus Smiles”
Push, push, push…
Seems you are just pushing all of your days,
Head down, shoulders squared
through every chapter, stage, and phase.
“Some day soon,” you tell yourself
You’ll stand atop high ground
and survey the scene with proud content and
as you look around.
You’ll cast your gaze on everything that stretches out for miles
and while the sun breaks through the clouds the weary…
Sisyphus Smiles.
reynold d. philipsek
10/31/2016