TWELVE LABORS of HERCULES

Twelve Labors of Hercules

Time-honored lore from days of yore
of men and gods were told.
Fabled stories, grief and glories;
preserved in myths of old.

One epic tale that ne’er goes stale,
fancied for centuries.
Yea, new rehearse of ancient verse:
Labors of Hercules.

The myth unfolds when Hera scolds
hubby’s mortal affairs.
Her Zeus aroused, on Earth caroused;
bristled the Queen upstairs.

One fateful tryst Zeus failed resist
enraged her jealousies.
Zeus infant born inflamed her scorn,
cursed son named Hercules.

Though toddler still, she tried to kill
with snake put in his bed.
But in the night Herc’s infant might
had ripped off deadly head.

But as adult in drinking bout,
Hera took o’er his will.
She addled brain, made temp insane,
children and wife, he killed.

Awake from fit saw crimes commit,
collapsed from retching grief.
Himself to blame, beset with shame,
from Gods he begged relief.

He sought repent with punishment
advised by deities.
“We Gods propose that king impose
twelve labors, Hercules.”

Hera conspired that tasks required
be schemed to make him fail.
His life would end and soul condemned
if Herc should not prevail.

Outlandish tasks the king would ask,
all twelve Herc must do in.
True tests of might to sate her spite,
his price for mortal sin.