Book XXI: String the bow

The day has arrived where it is now time for Penelope to give in. The suitors have taken full control and now actually have a shot to become the new kind, and a husband to my wife. Penelope goes into the room where my bow is kept, and weeps when she takes it out. For I am sure it reminds her of me, and my past. Sadly the bow now represents her future, or what she expects her future to become. For the suitor who can string the bow and shoot it through  twelve axes successfully will take her hand in marriage. Telemakhos asks to be first to shoot the arrow, however, he fails to even string the bow. The suitors set everything up, necessary for the preparation, but they all cannot string the bow. While everything is taking place I need to secure the loyalty with Eumeaus and Philoetius, so I reveal the scar on my foot to show them that I truely am Odysseus. The suitors feel like they must make an offering, or sacrifice to the god of archery, Apollo, so that he may help them. However, I, the great Odysseus, comes to the suitors (disguised as a beggar still), and asks for a crack at stringing the bow. Grasping my old bow in my hands once again was a great feeling. I take the bow, grab the string and bring it up to down, stringing it with ease. Then I reached for the arrow, placed it in the string, and pulled back to my chin, and released. Everyone watched in awe as the bow soared through the air, through the twelve axes. A perfect shot. I have returned. 

Book XX: All troubles

Sleep would not come to me. My worries continued about the suitors, and me and Telemakhos not being able to conquer them. The fear continues to creep into my mind. My worries should not be taking me over, especially at this crucial time. Athena however calms me down a little, i know i can always count on her to help me in times of distress. My son and I need to stay strong and defend ourselves. We should probably just kill the suitors already. My wife becomes nervous and restless in her sleep as well. I pray to the great lord Zeus for a sign of encouragement, for something to let me know that i will be able to make it through. It is answered by a loud clash of thunder. The following day the suitors had continued to plan Telemakhos's death, and Amphinomus tells them to keep him alive. Horrible fait awaits the suitors as once again an eagle appears. I found it ironic how in my wife's dream there was an eagle and now one has appeared. At dinner the suitors continue to be their rude selves, and Athena helps me control myself, and control them. They are so annoying it drives me off the walls. As dinner nears an end, the horrible doom that awaits the suitors grow, and they soon become covered in blood along with the walls around them. 

Book XVIIII: Penelope's Dream

Penelope comes to me, because she has heard news of "the beggar". She asks me a bunch of questions to see if i really do know Odysseus. I describe myself, (Odysseus) in such details and accuracy that she becomes hysterical, and cries. She offers me her hospitality, a bed to sleep in for the night, which I decline, for I would feel more comfortable on the floor. However, I allow Eurekleyia to clean my feet. While she is scrubbing she finds a distinct scar on my foot and realizes that I am indeed Odysseus. I have Athena distract her so the secret isn't released and our plan can continue. Before Penelope returns to bed she recalls a dream to me, (the beggar). Its about a eagle that comes down and murders all of her geese. The twenty geese that belonged to her. I immediately connect this to the suitors that do indeed basically belong to Penelope. The eagle then declares that it is her husband, who has killed all of the geese. Its hard to not shout out to her that it will soon come true. But i know that I must remain silent to protect the future and the plan to kill the suitors. Penelope concurs that she will indeed marry to a suitor, the one who can shoot arrows through hoops the best. She has no idea what her dream really means, and how it connects to what I am really planning on doing. I pray that there is enough time. Keeping secrets that can effect the life of loved ones, or anyone, is the hardest thing to do. 

Book XVIII: Odysseus learns

We often live through the Gods. We wait for them to decide on our fates, and for them to determine our present and our future. We are weak creatures for this, we must learn to control our own minds, and be self-aware. For depending on the Gods for too much can lead to misery, and defeat. However, searching for happiness, and strength cannot take you everywhere. You will need to seek help from family, and possibly the Gods. It is a difficult task to master, and accomplish, and many, like me are still trying to find ourselves, and our true happiness. You have to receive all that is handed to you by the Gods, and you have to always obey the law and keep order. I have learned this throughout my long journey, and it is key to accept the gifts, and let the Gods help you succeed, you just cannot depend on them for everything. To destroy the household of a man and dishonor his home and his wife,  is a dirty sin. When the master of the house comes home, it is best not to be there when he returns, for he shall not be happy. To end the matter, it will not end kindly, someone must die to end a battle. In my years of war I had to painfully learn that the hard way, you must battle until all enemy blood is shed. 

Book XVII: Take Down

My son, myself, and my wife. All together on Ithika again. The suitors need to be taken down, and my son and I must do it to protect our home. My wife begs for news of my whereabouts from Telemakhos and from others on the island. She must not be informed, for if she gains knowledge then we all will have to suffer later, in case the suitors every gain knowledge of my arrival. When disguised as a beggar I receive embarrassment and harassment; however, I return the anger with another argument back, and I suffer harsh blows. I see Telemakhos grow to become more and more like me, he himself begins to desire battle, and strive for glory. Eumaues finally leaves, and me and Telemakhos are left with the suitors, and I cannot wait to battle them, and regain power of my island, and my home. I cannot continue to leave pieces left behind, and hope for others to pick them up. One who doesn't fend for themselves, rarely succeeds for they cannot protect themselves against others.

Book XVI: Father and Son

As i talk with the swineheard Telemakhos approaches and greets us both. He continues to worry about the suitors, and I just wish he would be able to stand up to himself and believe in himself just a little more. When  I first see Telemakhos, I am disguised as an old beggar, and he doesn't recognize me. However, when we are left alone Athena comes and makes me appear younger, and more like my old self. Then Telemakhos soon realizes that it is me, his great father, Odysseus. We weep in joy together, and embrace. A messenger from the ship tells Ithika that Telemakhos has returned, and my wife Penelope is informed as well. My son and I begin to pot against the angry suitors and take back our home. I need to help him gain his self confidence, and become a true warrior. The world needs him to follow in my footsteps, to succeed in the life of battle. Back at home the suitors plot to kill my son, and marry my wife. I cannot lose my Island, as part of my return home I hope to regain control of my old home. A man who loses control of what he should be in power of, it takes a toll on himself. And I cannot let that toll take control of me. I must battle for my home, and battle for my family. 

Book XII: More tempting tales

The phakadeians still continue to pester me about my accounts at the sea, and about my past. So I continue to share with them my stories. And I tell them about burying Elpenors body, and releasing some of the guilt that I had with me. Also along with Elpenor, it was indeed my "last" night with Kirke's, and it was a strange sensation I felt: relief and pain. Later, as instructed I filled my mens' ears with beeswax; and I am tied up to the mast by my crew mates, this saves us from the land of Sirens, and saves my crew members from hearing the terrible shrieking noises. Then I begin to share my travels to the land that held a great monster Skylls and a crazy whirpool Kharbdis. As i recall these memories I realize how truely insane my life is. And of course my crew suffers a detour on Thrinacia, and we are kept there for a month due to weather conditions. My crew turns against me, and plots to ruin me. I am also picked on by Zues, and he sets a horrid storm about, and it causes me great difficulty. Yet another storm and my entire crew dies, leaving only me. I once again return to the island of Kirke, and i choose not to recall the memories there; on behalf of a husband, a captian, and a father. http://www.stlyrics.com/lyrics/realirtybites/tempted.htm

Book XI: The underworld

Once I had reached the underworld, I tried my hardest to follow the instructions given to me by Kirkes. So with the previous knowledge I contained, I summoned the spirits of the dead, by pouring libiations, and making sacrafices. One of the first diseased i see is Elpenor, a crewmember who had broken his neck, and he asks me to give his dead body a proper burial. I then receive advice from Teiresias, he advises me to stay clear of the flocks of the sun, or else I would endure more suffering. He also fortells my future, and speaks to me about when I return home. I encounter my mother in the underworld, and learn to find that she died of heartache because I never returned home. This pains me, as no son wants to be the cause of their own mothers death. As I continued to tell the story to the Phaiakians they want me to continue with my tails of the underworld, but I wish for a bit of rest. However I continue to share my stories. I witnessed  horrible sights of the poor souls in the underworld, being tortured. As i recall these memories i wish to never endure such tortures and pains. And to just have my life be fun-filled and easy. Those were my thoughts then and now, and I just wish to settle things with my own soul. 

Book X: All is Fair in Love and War

The great gift of the bag of wind. How that could've helped me so much, if only my crew mates had kept their trust in me. We had seen Ithika from our ships, and the crew suspected that i had gold and silver hidden from them, and they opened the bag, and the winds blew us all the way back to Aeolia. Once returning we recieved no further help, and tried to row our back back, ending up on Laestrygonians where giants lived, and the only escaping ship happened to be mine. From there i sailed to the land where the goddess witch Circe lived. Where the crazy witch turned my crew into pigs. Help from the god hermes, in disguise, allowed me to escape the fate of also becoming a pig, which is a relief, as i do not enjoy filth. I was then chosen to become Circe's lover, and my crewmates and I lived with her for a year, until my crewmantes force me to leave and return on our journey homeward. We find out that we must sail to hades, and my crew is not pleased, and neither am i. But to return home, i guess im going to have to stick it out. My anticipation then still was growing as i felt the need to return home, but the want was there, but lacking. I knew my family was waiting. An absent father is not something i planned on being, or continually becoming. When coming into the world of marriage, one does not expect to be so absent, or have another lover. My mind began to race.

Book 9: Let the tales begin

I've spilled my aventure stories to the Phaeacians. The battles at troy, with Poseidons son, the cyclops, and all has been revealed. It feels good to be able to share my stories with people, as i had been stranded with Kaylpso for such a long time. It was intruiging recaping my story with Poseidon's son, because it has often been on my mind as i begin to think about setting sail home. The revenge that he set on me, which is in my destiney will soon be set forth. Poseidon is out to get me, and i need help from my grey-eyed goddess. It was sad recalling the deaths of some of my men however, because i always feel as though i couldve done more to save them. As my time narrowed down with the Phaeacians, i realized how much closer i am to facing the salty sea again, and also being reunited with my family. Fears fill me of both toughts, along with excitement and anticipation. With a doomed destiney on sea, and Poseidons notorious temper, one couldn't help but be scared.

Book VIII: Homeward bound

NOW IM FREE! I've been released from the king and princess, and am officially on my way homeward. Though it was tough sticking it out with the king, i shed a couple tears, it must be genetic. I participated in the sporting events of their town, and i owned at the discus, and must admit i enjoyed myself. But there is so much more to the word than athletic appearance and athletics. Having a smart mind can get you far also. My longing for home grew stronger and stronger and my emotions grew wild. I knew that i had to return home, and prayed that the king would release me. They treated me with hospitality, i was bathed and fed. Not until the very last day i stayed with them was i asked who i was, and about my full story. Troy was recalled and that was emotional but i stuck it out. The mind and the body work as one. When the fullfillments for each are not met, often the body begins to change. When my mind was discontent, my body was too. When my body felt weak my mind did too, which is what brought on my tears. I am greatful to be homeward bound.

Book V: My releasing

Kaylpso has set me freeee!!! Thanks to Hermes, who persuaded her to let me go, how greatful I am even though it was a hard journey. And surprisingly enough she sent me away with hospitality, clean, and fed. I miss my Penelope so much and can't wait to be reconnected with her. I was scared to face the dangerous waters, and had a good idea of what Posideons actions would be. Poseidon had an angry eye out for me, and planned on making the waters miserable to sail in, and he did. I was ripped off my raft, but Ino came to me, with advice that i took. I was to swim to shore once i was ripped off the raft, and i used her vail for help. I am tired and worn from me releasing, but thankful and happy. When being held captive that long, after being released, your soul is lifted. I just pray that my journey will continue, and Athena will come to help me like she once did...

Book IV: All thanks to Athena

Again here i am, and yes! The truth has finally reached Telemakhos that I am alive! The joy i am feeling is overwhelming, my prayers have been answered! Now that he knows for certain i am alive, hopefully he will find me, or tell his mother. I wish to thank Menelaos for welcoming my son and telling him all about our battles at troy. And for telling him that i am stranded with Kalypso, and of course telling him that i am ALIVE! And to my dear grey-eyed goddess, I am so greatful she helped Telemakhos, and Penelope, she has saved me once again. Without Athena's help none of this could have happened. I will always pray to the Gods for help, for if they wish they will grant it. Praying to the Gods is a daily ritual, but when you need them most, they will help you--if they please. Athena has helped me through so much, and now she is helping my family, especially Telemakhos. My joy is all in thanks to Athena.

Book III: The feast

News has reached me once again, and my son Telemakhos had finally begun the real search. His search began with a full crew, including the grey eyed goddess Athena, in disguise. They sailed to talk to Nestor, and question him about his past with me. The information they received was of the past fights we had battled together, and his decision to flea, and mine to stay and please Agamemnon. Nestor can recognize the resemblance between my son and I, just by meeting him. Nestor advises my son to continue his journey to Pherai, and then to Lakedamion. As a father, I wish i could just contact my son and let him know that I am alive. I fear he is losing hope, and is starting to believe that I am dead. Losing contact with loved ones is hard, and even harder when they don't believe your alive. I will continually pray to the god's for their help.

Book II: Out at Sea

New new's from the gods has reached me, and I can see what is happening on Ithika. It pains me to see my son suffer so much social rejection and humiliation. The assembally has gathered once again, without me present this time, the Telemakhos had a hard time controlling the group. The suitors continue to mock him when he stands up for me, and what he thinks is right. I pray for him. Athena speaks to him again in disguise. Athena has helped Telemakhos gather up crew mates to go on a search for me. The crew leaves secretly, without telling my wife. She will be pained when she hear's the news of the whereabout's of Telemakhos. I'm praying to the gods, espectially Poseidon, I pray he takes pitty on my son and his crew, for son's always intend to do good for their father, and always want to keep the family name held in high regards. That is Telemakhos's plan, and once I agian I pray that he will succeed.

Book I: I can't wait to get on the road (sea) again.

Even though i am not present with my family currently, i have been informed from Gods of what has been happening back home with my wife and my son. I have been stranded with Kalypso, a goddess who is holding me captive. I'm having trouble reaching home also because of Poseidon, he has caused the sea's to harm me, and I have struggled through many storms. I take pity on my family right now, as they are enduring harsh criticism from the community. I pray to my wife, that she may believe that i am still alive, and for my son to pursue the hidden message Athena sent to him. I do need him to come find and save me. The gods have sent me on my life's journey. I need to endure these challenges for my family and my life. Everyone at one time in their life has to face challenges, and i now know mine. A man who has been away from his family and lost contact with them often loses hope of returning. This has begun to happen to me, and i have to stop the thought of never returning.

I can't wait to get on the Sea again, i pray that poseidon will take pity on me if i can even escape Kaylpso...