Greatest Hero Who Laughs

Greatest Hero Who Laughs
© Surazeus
2025 07 19

The greatest hero in history of Earth 
keeps crumbling into frail statue of dust, 
so I paint his name on the highway sign 
that leads the eager crowd of worshippers 
to the huge mountain cave where he was born 
where they all bow before his singing skull. 

Lounging on the back porch of the old pub 
beside the river where boats glide at dusk, 
the greatest hero ever plays guitar 
and sings sad ballad of the tragic fate 
the hero always meets on path of life 
while people drink beer and chat about sports. 

Fingers dancing lithely on the typewriter, 
the greatest hero who has never died 
writes novels about the heroic fool 
who always seems to fail at all he does 
and hurts the woman who loves him with care 
against the better judgment of her heart. 

Fixing engines in the cluttered garage, 
hands covered in grease from adjusting parts, 
the greatest hero no one hears about 
helps people get their cars back on the road 
so they can go about their busy lives 
driving in circles where gray rainbows cry. 

Talking to the clock in trunk of the oak 
that opens portals to the multiverse, 
the greatest hero who wears mask of God 
enters ring of stones in the forest glade 
where Oberon and Titania host parties 
to play the lyre of Mercury and sing. 

Sailing his boat along the River Styx 
to catch Cetus and roast his steaks for lunch, 
the greatest hero fishing for the dragon 
rescues Orpheus and Ophelia 
from drowning in the flash flood from rain storms 
and takes them to the slopes of Mount Parnassus. 

Stringing the sacred Damul Bow of Buryeo, 
which he finds in the jewel mines of Hades, 
Orion fires arrow of authority 
that pierces heart of the cruel dragon Smaug, 
then challenges Jesus for the world throne 
to rule the United Nations of Earth. 

The greatest hero who laughs at blind death 
stands guard at pearly gates of paradise 
and stares at faces of people who pass 
till they all blur into serpent of faith 
that slithers hissing in the Tree of Life 
as he punches the mirror of illusions.