Thetis Laments (Poetry)

My brave Achilles! What cruel luck
to end like this your famed career
of bold heroics lived with such
supreme disdain for doubt or fear.

So many battles — so much death —
a warrior true-born and bred
and fighting ’til your final breath.
The path of Destiny has led

you to this spot — this fateful place
where omens told me long ago
it would end thus — your life’s fierce race
and now I grieve to see it’s so.

A mother schemes from birth to shield
a precious son from worldly harm —
you walked through every battlefield
protected by the river’s charm.

Had I but dipped you twice as deep
so every inch of you was wet
I would not now have cause to weep
and you would still be living yet.

Your one weak spot made false my claim —
an arrow found it — Death proved real
when Paris, well-informed, took aim
and brought your arrogance to heel.