Dear Socrates: A Letter

 

Danae

 

Dear Socrates,

Did you know

All those years ago

What would come

Of saying what you pleased?

 

Philosophy

You called it then

A lover of wisdom when

Wise was what

Others claimed to be.

 

Question

You instructed they

Who came to hear you say

Think for yourself.

Find your own solution.

 

Heresy

The small-minded said.

They would see you dead.

Thus came your end

Through a hemlock tree.

 

Teacher Great,

I ask these things of you

Because change here is overdue.

I follow in your steps

And risk sharing your fate.

 

Philosopher

I long to be,

A lover of wisdom and clarity

The smirks, the stones

Will not deter.

 

Questions

I ask of others

But no one bothers

To think but of themselves.

Here, no solutions.

 

Unorthodox!

Dissenter, they say.

As always, a price to pay.

But there is no going back.

No way to stop the clock.

 

So, Dear Socrates,

Can you tell me true,

Would knowledge of your end have changed you?

Well, at least I have no need

To fear the hemlock trees.

 

For I tell you truly

With these folks about,

They would be too hard pressed

To figure that part out!

Sincerely, signed Me.