Janus Guard Of Paradise

Janus Guard Of Paradise
© Surazeus
2026 05 06

When Janus is five years old he arrives 
at the great gold gates that guard paradise, 
and he is so entranced by graceful curls 
of liquid metal forged to mimic vines 
that he dwells sixty years before the gates, 
contemplating beauty of human souls. 

Seven days after Janus first arrives 
and stands in sun and rain both night and day, 
entranced by shimmer of the golden gates, 
Hebe leaves paradise with four-wheeled cart 
heaped with apples she harvested from trees, 
so she gives the boy six apples to eat. 

Three years after Janus begins to guard 
gates of paradise with curious eyes, 
Daedalus constructs small fane by the gates 
where Janus may seek shelter from harsh weather 
while writing name and purpose on clay slabs 
to record who comes and goes through gold gates. 

Twelve years of guarding gates of paradise 
with wand of wisdom Mercury gives him, 
Janus stands firm against invading thieves 
and fights aggressive hordes of screaming goons 
till he stands triumphant in howling wind 
so people inside paradise are safe. 

Twenty years after Janus first arrives, 
Juno appears with troupe of dancing girls 
who sing romantic hymns that Sappho wrote, 
then presents Juturna in saffron gown 
red as apples that bloom in fertile trees, 
with yellow veil held by crown of gold vines. 

Thirty-eight years after Janus starts quest 
to secure paradise with solemn care, 
he teaches daughter Cardea weird art 
of molding hinges for doors she creates, 
and trains brave son Junonius how to fight 
slavers and thieves with wand of Mercury. 

Forty-two years of guarding paradise 
with keen eyes that see into hearts of men, 
Janus presides over funeral of Zeus, 
then places crown of world authority 
on head of his most qualified son, Phoebus, 
whom everyone elects to become Zeus. 

Sixty years after Door Guard first arrives 
to secure paradise in peaceful age 
of prosperity with justice for all, 
Janus defends Garden of Apple Trees 
against Mars, angry he was not crowned king, 
who stabs him in the heart with sneer of rage.