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</o:shapelayout></xml><![endif]--></head><body lang=EN-US link="#0563C1" vlink="#954F72" style='word-wrap:break-word'><div class=WordSection1><p class=MsoNormal><o:p> </o:p></p><p class=MsoNormal align=center style='text-align:center'>And What of Cassandra? <o:p></o:p></p><p class=MsoNormal align=center style='text-align:center'>© Brad Corallo<o:p></o:p></p><p class=MsoNormal>word count 189<o:p></o:p></p><p class=MsoNormal align=center style='text-align:center'><o:p> </o:p></p><p class=MsoNormal align=center style='text-align:center'>Let us harken to the tale of Cassandra<o:p></o:p></p><p class=MsoNormal>, a true hearted princess of Troy.<o:p></o:p></p><p class=MsoNormal>Unable to fulfill her woman’s destiny,<o:p></o:p></p><p class=MsoNormal>of a crown to bind alliances <o:p></o:p></p><p class=MsoNormal align=center style='text-align:center'>and mother to heirs of kings.<o:p></o:p></p><p class=MsoNormal>Instead, an eager pursuer of prophesy, <o:p></o:p></p><p class=MsoNormal>seeking true visions of things to come. <o:p></o:p></p><p class=MsoNormal><o:p> </o:p></p><p class=MsoNormal>Dedicating her life to Apollo, <o:p></o:p></p><p class=MsoNormal>his virgin priestess and seer. <o:p></o:p></p><p class=MsoNormal>But alas, such was not enough. <o:p></o:p></p><p class=MsoNormal><o:p> </o:p></p><p class=MsoNormal>What he demanded, she feared to give.<o:p></o:p></p><p class=MsoNormal>Overwhelmed by his divine passion,<o:p></o:p></p><p class=MsoNormal>thus, sealing her fate and that of many. <o:p></o:p></p><p class=MsoNormal><o:p> </o:p></p><p class=MsoNormal>The future was hers to see. <o:p></o:p></p><p class=MsoNormal>Though her predictions went unheeded<o:p></o:p></p><p class=MsoNormal>and the wisdom of her counsels was ignored!<o:p></o:p></p><p class=MsoNormal>She could only watch <o:p></o:p></p><p class=MsoNormal>with anguished heart, <o:p></o:p></p><p class=MsoNormal>as her city was over run and<o:p></o:p></p><p class=MsoNormal>thousands perished that might have been saved. <o:p></o:p></p><p class=MsoNormal><o:p> </o:p></p><p class=MsoNormal>Thus did Homer sing of how<o:p></o:p></p><p class=MsoNormal>the whims of capricious Gods,<o:p></o:p></p><p class=MsoNormal>determine the fates of kingdoms .<o:p></o:p></p><p class=MsoNormal><o:p> </o:p></p><p class=MsoNormal>Casting a shadow over<o:p></o:p></p><p class=MsoNormal>all the lives that dwell therein!<o:p></o:p></p><p class=MsoNormal><o:p> </o:p></p><p class=MsoNormal>And though many of our beliefs have change,<o:p></o:p></p><p class=MsoNormal>all too much of life remains the same! <o:p></o:p></p><p class=MsoNormal><o:p> </o:p></p><p class=MsoNormal>NOTE: This piece was ignited by Jennifer Saint’s novel: Electra and Al Stewart’s powerful song: Helen and Cassandra. <o:p></o:p></p><p class=MsoNormal><o:p> </o:p></p><p class=MsoNormal>https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=AElv68Hk7QA<o:p></o:p></p><p class=MsoNormal><o:p> </o:p></p><p class=MsoNormal> jamesstarfire@gmail.com<o:p></o:p></p><p class=MsoNormal><o:p> </o:p></p></div></body></html>