Acheron: River of Rue
dedicated to resistance, acquiescence, then delusion.

I was ambivalent about going to hell.

Charon greeted me with an oar to the face, but he became more subdued after he found my coin. Those who expected a free ride were swiftly cast to their fates.

The passage was fraught with strange sounds and incantations. My mind was alternately flooded with misgivings, promises made and broken, feelings of intense foreboding and exultation.

Curiously appropriate, all.

Cocytus: River of Lamentation
dedicated to anger and mourning for all that we’ve lost.

I grieve for the animals that suffer
I regret that I haven’t done enough

I feel sorrow in nature
I rue the human race

I feel wretched for the wretched
I sob for the ignored

I lament my mistakes
howl at the moon

I wail in anger
I weep for all

Lethe: River of Oblivion
dedicated to history and all that
we dare to ignore.

I walked into the room.
I walked back out of the room
hoping to remember why I walked into the room.

I read a book once about creating Memory Palaces.
At least I remembered that I once read that book.

I’ve always been an excellent speller.
But sometimes now I suddenly forget the correct letters.

Funny how I remember details from the solo trip across Europe I took in 1976, when I was 20 years old.
But the last week is lost.

Styx: River of Oaths
dedicated to regret and opportunities missed.

I promised I’d never do that again.
But it just happened.
[Water over the dam]

I always do what I say I’ll do.
Except when I don’t.
[Come hell or high water]

I never meant to hurt you.
But I did.
[Rock the boat]

I never said that.
You said that.
[Water under the bridge]

I will always be your friend.
Mostly always.
[Still waters run deep]

Phlethegon: River of Fire
dedicated to fear and the unknown.

When I emerged from the River Phlegethon to the land of Tartarus, the turbulent flaming water had become unbearable. On land, the gates were numerous and the jaws of the Hydra overlords snapped gleefully. I barely avoided the whip of that vengeful guard at the turret and the gaping pits that dotted the land.
I dodged a large rock and a spinning wheel. I couldn’t find sustenance which remained just out of my reach. The vultures were relentless.

My wings are gone and the noise is thunderous.