Five Rivers to Cross

I sat down by the river Styx to wait

upon Phlegyas, ferryman of old,

among the uninterred who congregate

and those who do not have a coin of gold.

The boat arrived, I did not hesitate,

but climbed quickly aboard, and acted bold.

Crossing the dark River of Hatred, done;

my trip through Hades, only just begun.

Cocytus next, a wide River of Tears,

where those who spill innocent blood lament.

Upon this score, I knew my slate was clear;

across I rode, and not a coin was spent.

I paused before the next river in fear.

At Phlegethon, was judged harmful intent,

and this River of Fire glowed hot and red,

consuming wicked souls for lives they led.

I passed that horrid stream, but at a cost

of one of the two coins within my hands.

Now at the Archeron, all could be lost,

for paying here had been part of my plan.

I knew Charon could not be double-crossed,

instead, he must be made to understand,

his ferry over this River of Pain

I had to ride, yet my last coin retain.

Upon the banks, I met a neutral soul

who gave to me his coin; he had to stay…

without passion, you cannot pay the toll.

Now for my ride, I had the means to pay;

Elysium was still my final goal,

the river Lethe the last one in my way.

A River of Forgetfullness, I think;

though I’m not sure, for I was made to drink.

*** This is written as an Ottava Rima, an old Italian form, consisting of eight-line verses in iambic pentameter, with a a,b,a,b,a,b,c,c pattern. It is well-suited to longer works, and is a lot of fun to craft in. This is a very rough draft, and I am sure will be polished a lot before I am finally happy with it, but it didn't turn out half bad.