Anagnorisis

Nobody ever accused him of pride,
That was a crime he would always reject.
Wisdom and honor and kindness his guide,
He was the king and demanded respect.

Mother and father were left long ago,
He found his kingdom and his widowed bride.
He bested the sphinx and his glory, it grows.
“Why do the gods now send worry?” he cried.

Famine now held his great land in its grip.
Prophecies, oracles, wise men would sing -
They might not know why but they let this one slip:
Find the old murderer of the old king.

Now he knew all and that he was the one,
He the foul murderer and the poor son,
Hubris caused this and his wife-mother dies
Oedipus drives both the stakes through his eyes.


Prompt: Pride