Antigone's Self-Requiem
If I had been someone not me
Would I've left more than what I leave?
Through life – what ripples have I made?
Through death – who was it my bed laid?
Would I strong or weaker be
If I were not Antigone?
If I had been a man instead,
Bosom gone and aged to wed,
Would better all my cries be heard?
Men now and forth to heed my word?
Would I strong or weaker be
If I were not Antigone?
If I had basked in lavish greed,
My body spoiled but blood decreed,
To draw my everlasting breath,
The earth to gasp and hold my death,
Would I strong or weaker be
If I were not Antigone?
If now I lay me down to sleep,
Bound by words I wish not keep,
With thrones of miles, a king's name marked,
A common soul, a workers part,
Would I strong or weaker be
If I were not Antigone?
If I had not my risen ambition,
To act demure, exhibit submission,
Danced with sun, allured the moon,
Lay bare the silent lady's tune,
Would I strong or weaker be
If I were not Antigone?
If I were not the reflection of Oedipus' pride,
Not stitched of fate or suicide,
A mere dark girl, no name nor style,
No fate, no tale, no live or die,
Would I strong or weaker be
If I were not Antigone?
Some drink, eh, the words of doom?
In harvest blood, thine own consume.
For if through death I rise above,
Denied my life, denied my love,
Would I through blind eyes be seen
A belle or proud Antigone?