by Glenn “Maghnus” Wright
Eos, with rosy fingers, opened the gates of the day. I see that once again her tears have created the morning dew that glistens as the shafts of sunlight, like golden arrows flying through the sky illuminating the landscape and banishing the lingering darkness of her sister Selene. Another day has come and one that I feel will teach me much.
Arising from my pallet I performed my morning ablutions, dressed, lit candles, offered prayers to my Patrons, and thus began my day. A portion of my morning meal was offered to the gods as thanks for their bounty in my life and I then retired to my office to begin work on a project that I hoped would find acceptance in the theater.
As I was sitting contemplating how my next act should unfold I was disturbed by the presence of a figure in my doorway. “How may I be of service to you, fair lady?” I inquired.
“It is rather how I may be of service to you,” she replied in a melodious voice. “I am Kalliope, the Eldest Muse, goddess of music, song, dance, and the goddess of eloquence. I am here to show you the way through your problem.”
I asked her why she had come to me at this time and was informed that the project upon which I was puzzled would indeed be one of great worth. That those on Olympus felt that, because of its importance, they would intervene in order to provide their assistance, ensuring its success immediately. I queried why I had been chosen for this task and learned that due to my diligence in my observations to the gods and goddesses, I was deemed worthy of their aid.
I was taken aback at this and still exercised caution, being aware that the gods were oft times in the habit of playing hoaxes on man. I searched my mind in an effort to detect that such was the case and while thus employed Kalliope spoke. “Fear not, this is no hoax. You have justly earned the assistance that I will provide.”
Having told me this, she approached and placed her hands upon my head. I was immediately filled with visions, scenes, names and words creating such a whirling cataclysm in my brain that I felt I would surely expire from the enormous quantity of information being imparted to me. As suddenly as it began, it ceased and I collapsed upon my desk in a stupor, as if I had partaken of too much wine. Kalliope, seeing my distraught condition enlisted the aid of Panacea, Iaso, and Aceso to speed my recovery.
I finished my project with alacrity and complete correctness. The whole experience imbued me with the certainty that the gods watched over us, appreciated deeply our observances, and blessed us even when we do not directly request it. To say that I learned a lot that day is a misstatement indeed.
