Week 4 Story: The Poetic Cyclops

Once upon a time, I was simply another normal man.
Yes, I was larger than most - a giant, if you will.
While sailing the seas with my men, I was separated from the clan.
It was an occurrence almost unto death, quite shrill.

When I woke the next morning, the raging storm had passed.
I was alone on the beach of an island, somehow.
To be true, I did not know how long I would last.
As I contemplated, I fervently furrowed by brow.

But in looking around, I noticed what I could.
There were animals, and trees, and beauty everywhere.
I gathered myself, and slowly stood.
There was something of opportunity in the air.

So I worked and I worked,
Hunted, farmed, shepherded, and gathered.
Around the island, I carefully lurked,
Trying to do my best for what truly mattered.

Then, one day, a great surprise arrived.
I had begun to think that I'd be alone forever.
When I left my cave for the day, I was satisfied.
But I would return to meet my match - a man of clever.

For while I prepared my animals at night,
Oh! A strange band of men hid in my cave.
I lashed out, deciding to cause quite a fright.
And quickly ate two men, though they were brave.

This routine continued for several days.
Though once, their leader approached.
"Nobody," he gave as his name, not wanting to stay.
But I would not release them - my territory had been encroached.

So he argued and pleaded, making quite the case.
His whining was terrible, and made him look blue.
I figured, what should I do but simply erase
Two more men from this traveling crew?

But as I slept that night, I felt horrific pain.
I screamed, releasing my terror to the sky.
These midget travelers had stabbed me for their gain.
And that is the story about why I have one eye.

Author's Note:

This story is taken from a compilation of narratives about Odysseus and his encounter with the cyclops! In the original, Odysseus and his men decide to travel to this island, wondering if its inhabitants are civilized or monstrous. Upon venturing around the island, the men wander into an unusually large cave. They soon become trapped by an enormous monster - the cyclops! He sleeps in this cave and also keeps his flocks of animals inside. Each night, he rolls a huge stone in front of the cave, preventing escape. He discovers Odysseus and his men and begins eating several of them each night. One night, Odysseus strikes up a conversation, and relates that his name is "Nobody." However, his efforts are in vain, and the cyclops does not let them go. One night, as the cyclops sleeps, the band of men stab an enormous log in the eye of the cyclops. As he yells for help, his neighbors hear him screaming that "Nobody" has stabbed him!
I kept the general narrative the same, but instead told the story in the form of a poem from the perspective of the cyclops. Though this does not seem like legitimate poetry to me, I thought it would be fun to somewhat mirror the idea of poetry used by Homer. I also changed it slightly in that the monster originally had two eyes, and the eye-stabbing performed by Odysseus and his men is actually what caused him to become a "cyclops."

Bibliography:
"Odyssey: Land of the Cyclopes" by Homer (translated by Tony Kline) - online link
"Odyssey: Prisoners of the Cyclops" by Homer (translated by Tony Kline) - online link
"Odyssey: The Cyclops Defeated" by Homer (translated by Tony Kline) - online link

Image Information: The cave in which the cyclops resides.
Link: Image